Brevard County school bus cameras recorded 17,923 instances of vehicles illegally passing stopped buses in the first year of the program, according to data released by the school district. The cameras, installed on 100 school buses across the county, use automated license plate recognition to identify vehicles that bypass stopped buses in violation of Florida Statute 316.133. Fines for the offense range from $250 to $1,000, with the district saying the data will be used to issue citations.
The program, launched in August 2023, covers all 15 school districts in Brevard County. Cameras are activated when buses are stopped for loading or unloading students, and they capture images of vehicles that pass without yielding. The district said the initiative aims to improve safety for students and reduce the number of violations, which have long been a concern for parents and educators.
School board officials said the data shows the highest number of violations occurred near major intersections in Cocoa, Palm Bay, and Titusville. The district has already shared the information with local law enforcement to help target high-risk areas. A spokesperson said the cameras have not yet led to any citations but emphasized the data will be used to enforce the law more effectively.
The program has drawn mixed reactions from residents. Some parents praised the effort to hold drivers accountable, while others raised concerns about privacy and the accuracy of automated systems. The school district said it is working with legal experts to ensure the program complies with state and federal laws. A second phase of the initiative, which includes expanding the number of buses with cameras, is expected to begin next year.