Bus Safety

  • School Bus Safety Program 

    Stop for the Bus. It’s Rhode Island State Law.BusPatrol 

    Providence Public Schools has partnered with BusPatrol to launch a school bus safety program in line with the Rhode Island School Bus Safety Enforcement Act § 31-51-1.

    All district buses are now equipped with safety technology, including stop-arm enforcement cameras to detect vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses. This safety initiative will curb dangerous motorist behavior and make the ride to and from school safer for all student riders.

    According to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), school buses are unlawfully passed more than 43.5 million times each school year in the United States.

     

    How the BusPatrol Safety Program Works 

    The Providence School Bus Safety Program combines education with enforcement to change motorist behavior and create a culture of awareness and responsibility around school buses.

    Before the first ticket is issued, the program will be preceded by a 30-day warning period and an extensive public awareness campaign. For the month starting in September, violators will receive a warning letter with no monetary penalty. During this time, an educational campaign will remind motorists of school bus-stopping laws and teach children road safety tips for getting on and off the bus.

    Enforcement begins on October 1. The penalty for illegally passing a stopped school bus in Rhode Island is between $250 to $500 with no license points. 

     

    Modernizing School Buses 

    In addition to stop-arm enforcement cameras, the [district] fleet is now fully equipped with additional features to improve safety for students and drivers.

    This includes:

    • 360° safety cameras inside and outside the bus
    • GPS tracking
    • Emergency response solutions

     

    What Happens If You Illegally Pass a Stopped School Bus in Providence

    All school buses that transport Providence students are equipped with automated photo enforcement cameras on the side of school buses to capture violations and vehicle license plate numbers. The evidence is shared with law enforcement for review. Once approved, a summons is sent to the registered vehicle owner by mail.

    In Rhode Island, the penalty is $250 for a first-time offense and up to $500 for subsequent offenses, with no license points.

    In addition to the financial deterrent, violators learn about the potential dangers of their actions. Offenders can call the program's toll-free number at 1-800-852-7080 and speak with a representative who can review the video evidence and help them understand the dangers of illegal passing. Services are offered in both English and Spanish.

    Data shows that over 95% of drivers don’t contest their ticket after seeing video evidence of their violation, and over 90% of first-time violators don’t offend a second time,

     

    Program Overview: How It Works

    The diagram represents the camera systems used in the district.

    When a vehicle illegally passes a school bus with its red lights flashing, and stop-arm activated, a multi-lens camera box on the side of the bus captures the violation and the car's license plate from different depths and angles. The footage, GPS, and timecode data are stored locally on an onboard digital video recorder (DVR) unique to each bus. 

    The incident data is sent via an encrypted LTE network to a secure cloud system, where it is filtered by artificial intelligence (AI) software before being reviewed by a trained safety specialist.

    If the specialist determines the violation is an offense, the specialist prepares an evidence package for law enforcement. The package is built in accordance with State law, complete with video footage, license plate number, make, model, vehicle owner information, GPS location, and a timestamp of the incident. 

    The evidence package is sent to law enforcement partners via a secure cloud portal. Law enforcement officers review the evidence package to approve. If approved, a notice of violation is mailed to the vehicle's owner, who is legally responsible for the violation per the law. The notice is issued with a link to the AlertBus Driver Education & Payment Portal. The vehicle owner can make a payment online, through the mail, or in person at a designated location within the jurisdiction. Notices of violation can also be contested through the relevant jurisdiction's civil court system. 

     

    When Should I Stop for a School Bus in Rhode Island

    When Should I Stop for a School Bus in Rhode Island

    Rhode Island DMV states that if red lights are flashing on the school bus, motorists approaching from either direction must come to a full stop and remain stopped until the bus’s red lights no longer flash. This requirement applies not only on public highways but also on private roads and in parking lots.

    For more information on school bus safety laws, refer to the Rhode Island DMV.  

     

    Safety Tips for Motorists

    • If you're driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing.
    • Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you're on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children.
    • If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop.
    • The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.
    • Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks.

     

    Safety Tips for Students 

    Before the Bus Arrives:

    • Arrive at least five minutes early.
    • Show your child where to wait, 10 feet from the curb (5 giant steps).
    • Emphasize that the bus stop is not for running or playing.

    Getting On and Off Safely:

    • Wait for the bus to stop completely, door to open, and driver's permission.
    • Use handrails when boarding or exiting to prevent falls.

    Always Use Caution Around the Bus:

    • Never walk behind the bus.
    • When crossing in front, walk on the sidewalk or along the street at least 10 feet ahead of the bus.
    • Make eye contact with the bus driver before crossing.
    • If something is dropped near the bus, inform the driver—do not attempt to retrieve it yourself.

     

    Contact Information

    To speak to a representative about a stop-arm violation, contact the AlertBus Customer Contact Center toll-free support line at 1-800-852-7080. 

    • The Contact Center is available Monday- Friday (8 am – 5 pm)
      • English and Spanish-speaking customer service agents are available to address your inquiries.
      • To expedite our service, please have your citation number ready when you call. 

     

    Online Access:

    To view the violation video evidence online or to pay a violation by credit card, visit www.alertbus.com and enter your citation number (example: RI-777777) and vehicle license plate number (no dashes or spaces), as listed on your citation.