Northern Lehigh School District has partnered with a leading bus safety technology provider to enhance school bus safety.

In a significant move to improve student safety, the district has announced its partnership with BusPatrol.

The new initiative demonstrates the district’s commitment to ensuring the security of its students as a top priority, according to Superintendent Dr. Matthew J. Link.

As part of this collaboration among NLSD, BusPatrol, and Krise Transportation — the district’s transportation company, Link said all district school buses will be outfitted with advanced photo enforcement technology designed to detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses. The program aims to address the dangerous behavior of drivers who disregard school bus stop signs, putting children at risk.

“The safety and security of our students, bus drivers and community members is always front of mind in our decision-making processes,” Link said. “We are fortunate that our school board has invested in this partnership with BusPatrol. This initiative not only modernizes our fleet, but also ensures a safer commute for our students every day.”

The technology installed on Northern Lehigh’s buses captures the license plates of vehicles that violate school bus safety laws by illegally passing buses when the stop arm is extended, noted Link, who added those violations are recorded and shared with local law enforcement for review, potentially resulting in a fine for the offending driver.

Link said the cost for installation of the internal and external cameras, equipment, and monitoring is $2,000 per bus.

“We were able to successfully negotiate with Krise Transportation, our transportation company, so that they are responsible for $1,250 of that cost and the district is responsible for the rest,” he said. “We are very appreciative of Krise’s support of this enhanced safety feature for their employees and our students.”

BusPatrol’s safety programs have proved effective in reducing these illegal passes by over 40 percent in other communities, Link said.

“We are excited to work with Northern Lehigh School District to make roads safer for all students,” said Justin Meyers, President and Chief Innovation Officer at BusPatrol. “Our technology has shown that it can significantly change driver behavior and reduce dangerous violations.”

Link said the program is set to go live following an education and public awareness campaign aimed at informing drivers, students, and families about the rules surrounding school bus safety. This effort will remind motorists of the legal requirement to stop at least 10 feet from a bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, as enforced by Pennsylvania state law.

Link expressed confidence that this initiative will enhance the safety of students, while also fostering greater awareness among drivers in the community.

“At Northern Lehigh, we strive to create a culture of awareness and safety,” he said. “By leveraging technology and working closely with our partners, we are helping to ensure that each school day begins and ends with a safe bus ride.”

To learn more about the district’s new bus safety program, visit its website, www.nlsd.org.