Allows municipality to use school bus video footage to ticket driver for illegally passing school bus.
Impact
With the implementation of S1873, municipalities can review footage from school buses and decide whether to issue a citation based on the evidence seen in the recordings. The law enforcement officials are required to act on such evidence within 90 days, thereby emphasizing timely enforcement of traffic laws. If no actions are taken within this period, any recorded images or data associated with the potential violation must be purged, which encourages municipalities to respond promptly to violations.
Summary
Senate Bill S1873 allows municipalities in New Jersey to utilize video footage from school bus cameras for enforcing laws against illegally passing school buses. The bill specifically supplements P.L.1942, c.192, which prohibits vehicles from passing a stopped school bus while it is picking up or discharging passengers. The intent of this legislation is to enhance the safety of children while entering or exiting school buses, offering municipalities a modern tool to improve compliance with traffic laws designed to protect students.
Penalties
Persons found liable for violations captured by school bus video cameras would face penalties including a $100 fine for a first offense and $250 for each subsequent violation. This established penalty structure aims to deter violations effectively and underscore the seriousness of traffic safety around school zones.
Contention
Opposition to the bill may arise from concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of video footage. While the bill aims to enhance student safety by discouraging dangerous driving behavior, critics may argue that it raises issues regarding surveillance and the collection of video data without consent. Furthermore, the regulation that the footage not be deemed a public record limits transparency and accountability regarding its use, which might concern civil liberties advocates.
Establishes procedures for sale of certain State-owned properties used by agencies or organizations providing housing to adults with developmental disabilities.