Brunswick County Schools using cameras on buses to keep students safe

BOLIVIA, NC (WWAY) — Brunswick County Schools is letting parents know it is taking extra steps to ensure students’ safety to and from class.

Every bus in the district is equipped with exterior cameras, which are used to catch drivers who pass a bus with its flashing lights and stop-sign deployed.

The bus driver can activate those cameras to record video of the incident, which can be downloaded and shared with law enforcement.

Llyod Willis is the transportation director for Brunswick County Schools.

He said bus drivers and parents are glad to have the technology to protect students riding the county’s buses.

“It’s great to think that if somebody is that negligent to, to run a stopped school bus sign, that there can be some repercussions for their behavior,” Willis said. “You know, because it doesn’t take but a second for something to happen terrible in a situation like that. So it is nice to know that you have a way to possibly get them for doing that.”

Adam Stanley is the Shallotte Chief of Police. He said drivers seem to have trouble knowing whether they need to stop based on what type of road they’re driving on.

“For example Main Street is a 2 lane highway with a turning lane in the middle,” Stanley said. “You have to stop. However, Highway 17 that is a four-lane with a median, if that bus were to stop on Highway 17, let’s just say its traveling north in the northbound lane, then the southbound lane would not have to stop.”

Stanley said driving past a stopped school bus with its stop sign and lights on is a misdemeanor, punishable by a $500 fine and 5 points on your license.

He added that driving past a stopped bus with its lights and sign deployed is one of the most severe charges to have on your record when it comes to vehicle insurance.