Buffalo to start using stop arm tech to catch reckless drivers

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- If you blow past a stopped school bus in Buffalo, there's a good chance you'll be slapped with a $250 fine.

The city has partnered with the company BusPatrol to discourage and catch reckless drivers, using artificial intelligence to help keep kids safe and hold dangerous drivers accountable. Starting next month, First Student school buses used by Buffalo Public Schools will have cameras attached to their stop arms.

When the arm comes out and the lights start flashing, eight cameras on the buses will start recording. If the technology behind the system clocks a driver illegally passing, a digital packet of video evidence is sent to BusPatrol. From there, it's reviewed by humans and forwarded to police, who will determine if a fine is necessary.

"We have to leverage technology," Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said. "And it's not just even in this. It's in other aspects of policing, whether it be cameras, license plate readers, other things that we do to help keep the public safe."

News 4 was told no taxpayer dollars are going toward the program. BusPatrol absorbs the cost of installing the equipment and receives a cut of the traffic violation fines.

Beginning July 1, violators will only receive a warning in the mail until the city begins hitting people with true violations on Sept. 30.