Bus Patrol, which provides stop-arm cameras and safety solutions to school buses, revealed the locations in the City of Salem plagued by the most traffic violations regarding its school buses.
The City of Salem and Salem Public Schools partnered with Bus Patrol in September to use stop-arm cameras to track vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses during the pick-up and drop-off of students throughout the City.
Between Sept. 4, 2024 and Dec. 30, 2024, stop-arm cameras recorded 3,371 suspected violations throughout the City. These violations are actual estimates referring to the number of cars that are believed to have illegally passed a stopped bus, based on the camera footage and an initial human review.
Top top five locations with suspected violations include:
- Loring Avenue and Lafayette Street (Rt. 1A): The area of Loring Avenue and Lafayette Street (Rt. 1A) saw 732 suspected violations, significantly more than double the next location.
- North Street and Mason Street (RT. 114): The area of North Street and Mason Street saw 308 suspected violations.
- Boston Street and Prospect Avenue: The Boston Street-Prospect Avenue area saw 265 suspected violations.
- Lafayette Street and Chase Street: Perhaps most alarming, the area of Lafayette Street and Chase Street – directly in front of the Saltonstall School – saw 179 violations.
- Marlborough Road near McGrath Park: The area of Marlborough Road from Vista Avenue to McGrath Park saw 164 violations.
The partnership is also timely: On Friday, Jan. 10, Governor Maura Healey signed Bill H.4940 into law, which legalizes the use of stop-arm cameras to identify and penalize drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses during student pick-up and drop-off.
“The data from Salem and Peabody’s pilot programs truly demonstrated the need for additional tools for enforcing traffic safety laws, and I’m grateful to the Massachusetts legislature and the Healey-Driscoll administration for moving this new law forward,” said Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo. “Here in Salem we take the safety of our kids very seriously and plan to utilize this new enforcement mechanism to better protect them – and all road users. Do not pass a stopped bus with its stop sign arm extended, whether you’re behind the bus or approaching it. It is illegal, it is dangerous, and, thanks to this new law, it is going to get you a substantial citation.”
The partnership with Bus Patrol is part of a larger commitment to student safety by SPS for the 2024-25 school year. The District also partnered with Stopfinder, an app enabling parents to track their child’s bus in real time; and Wayfinder, an app which tracks students as they board and exit buses.
“Our foremost priority as a school system is keeping our students safe so that they can thrive as learners in our classrooms,” said SPS Superintendent Dr. Stephen Zrike. “This new legislation supports our ability to protect our youth from distracted drivers who, based on video evidence, consistently ignore stop-arm cameras. Our bus drivers have asked for our help and now we are able to take significant steps to respond to their legitimate concerns.”
Salem Public Schools’ commitment to student safety is consistent with the District’s Strategic Plan, the core values of which include elevating learning, empowering educators, centering belonging and strengthening the District’s foundation.
