The State of Minnesota has awarded nearly $1.3 million to equip school buses with stop arm cameras—technology designed to catch and deter drivers who illegally pass stopped buses. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is overseeing the initiative, which will impact 18 school districts and transportation companies across the state.
This final round of Stop Arm Camera grants caps a statewide effort totaling more than $15 million, aimed at shielding students during their daily commutes. Once installations are complete, over 8,000 Minnesota school buses will be outfitted with these preventive tools.
“No child or parent should have to worry about their safety when they're getting on or off the bus,” said OTS Director Mike Hanson. His sentiment reflects a broader concern among school officials and families statewide.
Local districts are applauding the state's efforts. Roseau School District Superintendent Tom Jerome emphasized the importance of stronger enforcement measures, while Christine Tucci-Osorio, superintendent of the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District, said the cameras serve as both a deterrent and a tool for accountability. “These stop-arm cameras will provide an extra layer of security, helping to hold drivers accountable and reinforcing the importance of stopping for school buses,” she noted.
In 2024 alone, 2,105 citations were issued in Minnesota for failing to stop for a school bus—an infraction that not only endangers children but can cost violators up to $500. Hennepin County led the state with 1,918 violations, followed by Wright County with 365, according to data from the Minnesota Judicial Branch District Court Criminal Charges portal.
The Stop Arm Camera initiative is backed by both the Minnesota State Patrol and local law enforcement, giving school districts the support they need to enforce the law effectively.
