House Bill 4147, would allow automated stop arm cameras to be installed on school buses. On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, the House Education Committee passed the legislation. Today, it was passed with 49 votes in the Oregon House of Representatives and now heads to the Senate.
According to a House of Representatives press release, “A 2023 nationwide survey of bus drivers shows concerning data. Across the country, over 62,000 vehicles unlawfully overtook school buses within a one-day survey period. Oregon-specific data showed that our bus drivers documented 1,427 stop arm violations in a single day – a staggering number of violations.”
House Bill 4147 would remove the current prohibition in Oregon on stop arm camera use and would allow (but not require) school districts to partner with law enforcement. Signage that a stop arm camera is in use will be required to be posted on the school bus and the State Board of Education will need to adopt standards for the signage.
At this time no fine or punishment matrix has been published.
To see a video about a similar system from FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul click here
