Allows municipality to use school bus video footage to ticket driver for illegally passing school bus.
If enacted, S2624 will introduce new enforcement measures that allow law enforcement officials to issue tickets based on video footage that records violations. Affected individuals may face fines of $100 for their first violation and $250 for subsequent offenses. Furthermore, the bill mandates that any recorded footage used for issuing a summons must be reviewed by a law enforcement official, and any footage not resulting in a summons should be purged after 90 days. This provision aims to ensure accountability and the correct use of the footage.
Senate Bill S2624, introduced on February 8, 2024, grants municipalities the authority to use video footage from school bus cameras for the enforcement of traffic laws prohibiting vehicles from passing school buses while they are picking up or discharging passengers. This law aims to enhance the safety of children and individuals with disabilities by deterring illegal maneuvers around stopped school buses. The bill modifies existing laws by adding provisions for the use of recorded images as evidence in enforcing these laws, specifically referencing P.L.1942, c.192 (C.39:4-128.1).
The introduction of this bill is anticipated to generate various discussions regarding privacy and the potential implications for motorists. Detractors may raise concerns about the extent to which municipalities can utilize such footage, especially regarding retaining and using video evidence. Additionally, there may be debates on whether these measures infringe on individual rights or if they serve the greater public interest in enhancing safety around school zones.