Drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses in Broward County will soon face automated enforcement as Broward County Public Schools rolls out a new AI-powered school bus safety program before the 2026-27 school year.
The district has equipped nearly 1,300 school buses with AI-powered stop-arm cameras designed to detect motorists who fail to stop when a bus is loading or unloading students. Officials say the initiative, launched in partnership with BusPatrol, is intended to improve student safety by discouraging dangerous driving around school buses.
Broward County Public Schools will officially unveil the program during an event Thursday at Student Transportation & Fleet Services in Oakland Park. School Board members, Superintendent Howard Hepburn, Broward County Schools Police, transportation officials and BusPatrol representatives are expected to attend.
The program begins with a 30-day warning period starting Aug. 10. Beginning Sept. 9, drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus displaying its stop arm could receive a $225 civil citation under Florida law. The violation does not add points to a driver’s license.
When the cameras detect a potential violation, video and still images are securely transmitted to the Broward County Public Schools Police Department for review. If investigators determine a violation occurred, a Notice of Violation is mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner. Recipients will also have access to the AlertBus Driver Education Portal, where they can review the evidence and learn more about Florida’s school bus laws.
District officials said the program is designed to combine education with enforcement to change driver behavior and reduce dangerous passing around school buses.
According to Broward County Public Schools, more than 90% of first-time violators do not commit another offense after receiving a citation, suggesting automated enforcement has a lasting impact on driver behavior.
The district said the initiative comes as illegal passing remains a persistent safety concern nationwide. The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services estimates motorists illegally pass stopped school buses about 40 million times each year across the United States, putting children at risk as they board and exit buses.
In Florida, more than 8,000 illegal passes of stopped school buses were reported during a single statewide survey day. The district also cited National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data showing Florida ranks second in the nation for fatal school bus-related crashes, underscoring the need for stronger enforcement and public awareness.
Before citations begin, Broward County Public Schools and BusPatrol will launch a public education campaign featuring warnings, public service announcements, advertising, media outreach and community engagement to help drivers understand the new enforcement system.
