Broward County Schools Deploy AI Cameras on 1,300 Buses to Catch Illegal Passers

Broward County Public Schools will outfit every school bus with advanced camera technology designed to identify and penalize drivers who illegally pass stopped buses when students are boarding or exiting. The initiative launches with the new school year on Aug. 10, marking an effort to strengthen enforcement against violations that district officials say occur with troubling frequency.

Under the program, drivers who pass a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended and lights flashing will face a $225 citation after a 30-day grace period ending Sept. 9. School officials emphasized the enforcement is meant to deter dangerous behavior rather than generate revenue, with board member Allen Zeman stating: “The message for Broward County is crystal clear: take your time, save a life.”

The AI-powered system will include at least eight cameras per bus recording from multiple angles, along with an overview camera that monitors traffic across all lanes and works with license plate recognition technology. Superintendent Howard Hepburn noted that school police will review each citation for accuracy before issuance to ensure violations are legitimate.

Equipment costs approximately $10,000 per bus, but the district absorbs no expense through its general budget. Technology partner BusPatrol funded installation and will cover operational costs, with each citation split between the company ($140) and the school district ($85 directed toward safety initiatives).

Broward County school buses recorded 1,244 illegal passings during the 2025-26 school year across district, charter, and vendor-operated vehicles. District leadership framed the program’s primary objective as student protection rather than citation volume, with Board Chair Sarah Leonardi calling the cameras a necessary tool to change driver behavior on roadways near schools.