Cameras installed on bus stop arms

Thanks to a grant given by the state of Minnesota to Palmer Bus Service, two more Waseca Palmer buses will have cameras installed in the stop arms to catch footage of violators who illegally pass stopped buses. The stop arm cameras were put in as an effort to catch people who violate the law which states that if a school bus is stopped with its stop-signal arm extended, approaching vehicles must come to a stop at least 20 feet away from the bus and are not allowed to move again until the signal arm is retracted and the lights are no longer flashing. 

Because the cameras are activated whenever the vehicle engine is running and because they have very high resolution, Palmer Bus Service is able to capture pictures and footage of cars which violate this law. Law enforcement officers can use the evidence to ticket offending drivers. 

As manager of the Waseca branch of Palmer Bus Service, Audra Veroeven knows the dangers of these violations, which happen around two or three times a week.  Veroeven even explained that one time she had three cars violate during one stop, with people thinking that the yellow flashing lights on a bus are similar to the yellow lights of a stop light. As those who have had to pay the $500 minimum fine of the violation probably know, such is definitely not the case.

Vereoven, who has been a bus driver for four years and a manager since February, reiterates  that the only time drivers can legally pass by a stopped bus with an extended arm and flashing lights is if there is a divided highway, and the bus is on the other side of the highway. 

Along with increasing traffic violations, bus companies everywhere are struggling to find drivers, and Waseca understands the struggle as well. The company has already had to reduce the number of bus routes for Waseca students down from seven to five, and is still searching for drivers. Both Veroeven and the company mechanic have taken on driving duties while Veroeven continues searching for up to four more drivers.  

Veroeven wants people to keep open minds as they consider the demands of the job. She points out that the work hours could align well for parents. As a previous driver and stay at home parent herself, Veroeven took her own children on her bus route, having them ride in the seat behind her while she drove the bus.

The connection with students is incredible, Veroeven explained, as the bus driver is the first and last person children see each school day; interactions can easily make or break either the students’ or the driver’s day. Most of the time, though, it makes it, as many bus drivers share wholesome stories of their adventures, and students leave with memories of the bus and their beloved driver.