Video: Starkville Adds Cameras to Catch School Bus Violators

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — Starkville schools are taking a tough step against drivers who pass stopped school buses while they are loading and unloading students.

The problem has gotten so bad the district is installing cameras outside its buses to catch images of cars ignoring the state law. School officials take the images to municipal court and sign affidavits against the registered owner of the car.

They then are sent citations to appear in court. The cameras already are on 10 buses and soon will be installed on 30 more.

“This will bring more attention and awareness. I really do hate to do it, but you are breaking the law, and for those breaking the law, we’ll have them suffer the consequences. So, this is a step we’re taking to ensure that we maintain the school bus as being the safest mode of transportation,” explained Kelvin Gibson, transportation director for the district.

Gibson has signed affidavits on at least two drivers in the last two days.

The cameras are allowed under Nathan’s Law, passed three years ago by the Legislature to improve bus safety after a 5-year-old South Mississippi student was killed while getting off a school bus.