Keeping Students Safe:

Newtown’s School Bus Safety Program

Newtown Public Schools has partnered with BusPatrol to help protect students as they travel to and from school.


Illegal passing of stopped school buses continues to put children at risk. When a school bus displays its flashing red lights and stop arm, drivers are required by law to stop—yet violations continue to occur.


To help address this issue, Newtown Public Schools is implementing a School Bus Safety Program in partnership with BusPatrol. Through this program:

  • Buses serving Newtown Public Schools are equipped with school bus safety cameras designed to capture evidence of vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses.
  • The recorded evidence is reviewed by the appropriate authorities. When a violation is confirmed, a citation may be issued to the registered owner of the vehicle in accordance with Connecticut law.

Do you know when you are required to stop for a school bus in Connecticut?


In Connecticut, drivers must stop at least 10 feet in front of or behind a school bus displaying flashing red signal lights and remain stopped until the lights are no longer flashing.

  • Two-lane road: All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a stopped school bus displaying a stop signal.
  • Multi-lane road: On a multi-lane roadway without a safety island or physical barrier, all drivers moving in either direction must stop for a stopped school bus displaying a stop signal.
  • Divided highway with a safety island or physical barrier: The only time traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop is if there is a safety island or physical barrier separating the roadways.

School Bus Safety Program FAQs

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How does the school bus safety program work?

As part of the School Bus Safety Program, every bus in the district's fleet is equipped with advanced safety technology, including AI-powered stop-arm cameras. These cameras are designed to capture evidence when a vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus.


The program combines technology and law enforcement review to help hold drivers accountable and improve safety for students. By increasing awareness and enforcement, the program aims to reduce illegal school bus passings and encourage safer driving behavior.


Here's how the process works:

  1. When a vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus displaying its flashing red lights and stop arm, the camera captures footage of the potential violation.
  2. The footage is securely provided to law enforcement for independent review.
  3. If law enforcement confirms that a violation occurred, a Notice of Violation is mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle.

Over time, the program is designed to increase driver awareness, reduce illegal passings, and help ensure that students can travel to and from school safely each day.


How does the program educate drivers?

The School Bus Safety Program combines education and enforcement to increase awareness, encourage safer driving behavior, and promote responsibility around school buses.


Before enforcement begins, the program is supported by a public awareness campaign using press, social media, and community outreach to help motorists understand when they are required to stop for a school bus and the consequences of failing to do so.


Education will continue throughout the program as we work to increase awareness, improve compliance with school bus safety laws, and help make Newtown’s roads safer for students and everyone in our community.


What does Connecticut law say about bus cameras?

In 2024, Connecticut passed a law allowing municipalities and boards of education to install and operate automated school bus stop-arm camera systems. These systems can be used to detect violations where drivers illegally pass a stopped school bus.


For more information, refer to CT Gen. Stat. § 14-279c (2024).


How much is the fine

The fine for illegally passing a stopped school bus if enforced through a stop-arm camera detection system is $250 for a first offense with no license points.