Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
METHUEN, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Methuen City Council adopted a state law last week that allows police to issue tickets to drivers who are caught on camera passing stopped school buses.
Gov. Maura Healey signed the law in December. It gives towns the option to use video monitoring systems on school buses to issue traffic violations.
One Methuen school bus driver said it’s about time.
“I’m actually excited that they are implementing something like that because we desperately need it,” said Melvin, a school bus driver.
Melvin said one time while he was driving a school mini van, a driver passed him and actually touched his mirror, almost breaking it.
“They didn’t respect the light at all,” he said.
Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
The new video monitoring system will capture the license plate of cars that pass the stopped school bus, according to the Methuen Police Department. The department also said it will be putting together a school bus traffic enforcement team to review the footage.
“I think this is a win-win,” Methuen Mayor D.J. Beauregard said in a statement. “We’re creating a deterrent aimed at cracking down on school bus stop arm violations while opening up a new funding source for our schools.”
Michael, a Methuen resident said he applauds the new cameras.
“Kids should be safe, and people should be obeying the stop sign,” Michael said.
Melvin said he understands that drivers are busy and may be late getting somewhere, but passing a stopped school bus just isn’t worth it.
“It’s better to lose one minute than lose someone,” Melvin said.
WBZ’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.