(KNSI) – A St. Cloud lawmaker has sponsored a bill to bust stop-arm violators by letting school districts install security cameras on the outside of buses.
The legislation would give schools and bus companies the legal authority to put security cameras on the outside of buses, including stop-arms.
Rep. Dan Wolgamott is the bill’s author and says the law is about safety and holding people responsible for their actions.
“I’ve seen videos and heard stories from families who’ve had close calls, and it’s just gut-wrenching and infuriating. Do you know how selfish you have to be? Nobody’s in that big of a hurry that they need to endanger our children’s lives. So, We need to hold these selfish people accountable.”
He says the cameras are needed to capture vehicle license plate numbers and pictures of the driver when they blow through a school bus’s stop sign.
“The school bus drivers have a lot going on right, I mean, they’re getting from point A to point B. They’re dealing with kids shenanigans, and it’s really hard to catch a license plate number.”
Many school districts and bus companies already use security cameras. However, dozens don’t because of legal concerns surrounding privacy issues.
Wolgamott said the video would go to the police for review and the possibility of a ticket.
Security cameras would erase unused data automatically.
The bill passed the Minnesota House Transportation Committee last week and will move to the Judiciary Committee before possibly getting a vote in the House in the next few weeks.
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