Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
PEABODY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The city of Salem has joined Peabody to curb drivers who pass stopped school buses illegally.
Peabody public schools recently implemented stricter rules to hold drivers accountable when they drive around buses with their stop-arms extended when picking up and dropping off students.
Nearly 3,500 violations were documented in Peabody since Labor Day last year.
This Peabody resident said drivers go around stopped school buses regularly. "I see it happen all of the time."
And this Peabody bus monitor supports the effort. "We have cameras inside the bus, so why wouldn't we have them (outside). I think it's a great idea," she said.
Salem is now adding stop-arm cameras to its entire fleet of school buses for the 2024-2025 school year.
Both North Shore cities received the technology through a free pilot program from BusPatrol America LLC. The Virginia-based company develops technology that provides school districts with the capability to protect students and bus drivers while developing even more effective laws.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
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