In an effort to enhance student safety and address the growing issue of illegal school bus passings, Newtown Police Department (NPD) has partnered with Newtown Public Schools and BusPatrol to launch a new school bus stop-arm safety program.

As of Tuesday, September 15, all 56 buses in the Newtown Public Schools fleet had been equipped with advanced stop-arm technology to detect vehicles that illegally pass a stopped school bus. When a potential violation is captured, footage will be reviewed by Newtown Police Department for verification.

Through October 18, drivers identified as illegally passing a Newtown school bus will receive a warning.

Beginning Monday, October 19 — the first day of National School Bus Safety Week — citations will be issued. The minimum civil penalty for a first-time offense is $250, with no points assessed on the driver's license.

The initiative aims to change driver behavior and protect children as they travel to and from school each day.

NPD Chief David Kullgren said Newtown is committed to doing everything it can to keep everyone's children safe.

"By launching this safety program, we are taking a stand against reckless driving and prioritizing the well-being of students at their most vulnerable moments, when they are getting on and off the bus," Kullgren added.

Superintendent of Schools Anne Uberti noted that the safety of students is always their highest priority.

"When a school bus stops and its lights are flashing, drivers have a responsibility to stop as well," she said. "This technology gives us another tool to reinforce that expectation and help protect our students as they get on and off the bus each day."

Justin Meyers, president and chief innovation officer at BusPatrol, said they are proud to partner with Newtown Public Schools and NPD to help make roads safer for Connecticut students.

"Data shows that over 90% of first-time violators don't receive a second ticket — proof that this program is working to change driver behavior and protect children on the roads each day," Meyers said.

BusPatrol is a technology company that focuses on public safety, serving over 400 school districts and two million students across 40,000 buses.

BusPatrol uses cutting-edge AI machine learning and telematics to enhance school bus safety. The company noted that every year, over 45 million vehicles illegally pass stopped school buses in the United States.

Newtown Public Schools' School Bus Safety Program follows the launch of similar school bus safety initiatives across Connecticut and New England. The City of Danbury implemented its own stop-arm camera program at the start of its 2025-26 academic year, joining other communities across the country turning to technology to prioritize student safety.

Under Connecticut law, drivers must stop for a school bus with its stop signal activated. Violations are considered civil offenses, with a $250 fine issued to the vehicle owner. The infraction does not result in license points or impact insurance rates.

To learn more about Newtown's School Bus Safety Program, visit Newtown Public Schools at newtown.k12.ct.us/buspatrol and Newtown Police Department at newtownctpolice.org/stop-for-the-bus, or contact Newtown Police Department Chief David Kullgren at david.kullgren@newtown-ct.gov with questions.