BETHLEHEM, Pa. — More than 800 motorists have illegally passed a school bus in the Bethlehem Area School District since August 2022, prompting officials to take action, officials said Thursday.
So starting this summer, Bethlehem Police Department will use stop-arm cameras to capture and enforce illegal school bus passing in its jurisdiction, officials confirmed.
- Bethlehem Police Department will begin using stop-arm cameras to capture and enforce school bus illegal passings
- The department is working with Bethlehem Area School District to raise awareness prior to implementation
- More than 800 motorists have illegally passed a school bus in the City of Bethlehem since Aug. 2022
The cameras are designed to capture the license plates of vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses.
But now, the footage will be shared with local law enforcement and the registered vehicle owner will get a citation in the mail if the video shows a violation occurred.
Expanded enforcement
Bethlehem City Council approved a memorandum of understanding earlier this year for police to use stop-arm camera footage to enforce violations.
But Bethlehem Police Lt. William Audelo said officers haven’t had the legal authority to issue citations — until now.
“Citations have not been previously issued, as Bethlehem City Council only approved the program in May,” Audelo said Thursday.
“So while the cameras were in place on the buses and we could track the violations, we did not have the legal authority to issue civil citations at the time.”
“At the same time, we are able to bring awareness to the importance of stopping illegal passing of school buses and help protect the safety of our children."Bethlehem Police Lt. William Audelo
Audelo said the department wants to be transparent about the new program and is working with BASD in an awareness campaign so the community has proper notice prior to implementation.
“At the same time, we are able to bring awareness to the importance of stopping illegal passing of school buses and help protect the safety of our children,” Audelo said.
Curbing ‘reckless’ behavior
“Failing to stop for a school bus is one of the most dangerous traffic violations we see, yet one of the most difficult to enforce,” Audelo said.
He described the cameras as an extra layer of enforcement to “curb reckless motorist behavior” and keep kids safe.
But while the district has modernized its entire fleet with BusPatrol automated enforcement technology, BASD encompasses multiple municipalities as well as police jurisdictions.
“Fountain Hill, Freemansburg, Hanover Township and Bethlehem Township all have BASD buses travel in their areas. The City of Bethlehem Police Department will only be responsible for violations that occur in our jurisdiction."Bethlehem Police Lt. William Audelo
“Fountain Hill, Freemansburg, Hanover Township and Bethlehem Township all have BASD buses travel in their areas," Audelo said. "The City of Bethlehem Police Department will only be responsible for violations that occur in our jurisdiction."
The department is working to remind motorists that under Pennsylvania law, it's illegal to pass a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop-arm deployed.
Motorists are required to stop 10 feet away when they are behind or meeting a bus.
The penalty for a first-time violation is $300.
Audelo said the timeframe for motorists to get citations will depend on how quickly the review process unfolds, but citations have to be filed within 30 days of the violation.
Bethlehem joins a handful of other Lehigh Valley districts, including Allentown, Northwestern Lehigh, Catasauqua Area, Wilson Area and Salisbury Township, in using the cameras for enforcement.
