- Home
- City Departments
- Parking & Traffic
- Photo Enforced Traffic Laws
Photo Enforced Traffic Laws
White Plains School Bus Safety Program
White Plains is working in partnership with BusPatrol to protect students on the ride to and from school.
According to a report by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, an estimated 40 million motorists illegally pass stopped school buses in the US annually, putting students at risk as they travel to and from school. These illegal passing incidents can result in tragedy—it’s crucial that we work together to reduce reckless driving around school buses and make roads safer for our students.
To combat this issue, we are working with BusPatrol to run the White Plains School Bus Safety Program. Through the program:
- School buses in the City of White Plains are equipped with school bus infraction detection systems. These cameras are powered by artificial intelligence to detect when vehicles break the law and fail to stop for the school bus.
- This evidence is shared with the City for review. If a violation has occurred, a notice of violation is sent to the registered vehicle owner.
Our Goal
This School Bus Safety Program is designed to reduce reckless driving around school buses and create safer roads for everyone in our community. Data shows that over 90% of first-time violators do not commit a second offense—a strong indicator that the program has the potential to change driver behavior. By working together, we can increase awareness and encourage responsible driving habits around the yellow school bus.
FAQs
How often do cars illegally pass stopped school buses in the United States?
According to an annual report by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, an estimated 40 million motorists illegally pass stopped school buses in the US each school year. This number has increased year over year. Every illegal school bus passing puts our students at risk.
These alarming statistics underscore the prevalence and danger of illegally passing school buses, emphasizing the need for stronger enforcement measures to protect children.
How does the school bus safety program work?
Through the White Plains Bus Safety Program, we have equipped every bus in our School District’s fleet with advanced safety technology, including AI-powered stop-arm cameras. These cameras detect when a vehicle breaks the law and illegally passes a stopped school bus.
By using automated enforcement, local law enforcement can monitor every school bus stop and hold drivers accountable for violating the law and putting students at risk.
Over time, the program helps change driver behavior, reduce illegal passings, and ensure children get to and from school safely every day.
- When a vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus displaying its stop signal, the stop-arm camera captures footage of the violation.
- The footage is securely sent to law enforcement for their independent review to confirm if a violation occurred.
- If law enforcement confirms the violation, a Notice of Violation is mailed to the registered vehicle owner. Data shows that over 90% of first-time violators do not illegally pass a school bus again, making roads safer for students.
How does the program educate motorists about when to stop for a school bus promoting school bus safety beyond ticketing?
The School Bus Safety Program combines education and enforcement to change motorist behavior and promote a culture of awareness and responsibility around school buses.
Before the start of the program, we are partnering with BusPatrol to run an extensive public awareness campaign to inform motorists about this new enforcement initiative in the City of White Plains. The public awareness campaign may include strategies such as a warning period, press coverage, and community outreach with the goal of education to change driver behavior before the bus safety program officially starts.
We are also dedicated to the continuous education of our community about school bus safety to ensure safer roads for everyone.
When Should I Stop for a Stopped School Bus in New York State?
When a school bus stops and flashes its red lights, traffic approaching from either direction must stop before reaching the bus:
- on a two-lane road
- on multi-lane highways
- on divided highways
New York State Stopping Law Video:
Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle.
Red flashing lights mean the bus has stopped for the purpose of loading or unloading children. Stop your vehicle and wait until the school bus resumes motion or until signaled by the driver or police officer to proceed.
Learn more at New York DMV.
What should I do if I lose my Notice of Violation?
If you have misplaced your Notice of Violation, please contact the AlertBus Customer Service Center at 877-504-7080 for further assistance.
What if I am unable to afford to pay the penalty?
If you are experiencing financial hardship and are unable to pay the civil penalty in full, please contact the AlertBus Customer Service Center at 877-504-7080. They can assist you in arranging a payment plan to help manage the cost of the violation if a payment plan is offered in your region.
Can I contest the Notice of Violation?
If you receive a Notice of Violation, you can contest the violation by following the instructions on the second page of the Notice of Violation.
Contact Information
To speak to a representative about a stop-arm violation, contact the Alertbus Customer Contact Center at 1-877-504-7080. 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 violation number ready when you call.
- If calling after hours, you may leave a voice message, and a service agent will return your call the next business day.
To view the violation video evidence online or to pay a violation by credit card, visit www.alertbus.com and enter the following information: Your citation number (example: NY-777777) and vehicle license plate number (no dashes or spaces), as listed on your citation.
Learn More About School Bus Safety
The primary focus of the School Bus Stop-Arm Safety Program is public awareness and education. The success of the program is measured in the reduction of stop-arm violations over time and not by the number of vehicles caught violating the law. Please review the information regarding school bus safety and the "danger zone" below.
More Sites Containing Information on this Topic:
- National Stop Arm Violation Count (NASDPTS)
- Reducing the Illegal Passing of School Buses (NHTSA)
- State School Bus Stop-Arm Camera Laws (NCSL)
- NTSB Releases Full Final Report of Fatal Indiana School Bus Crash
- NYAPT
- DMV New York – School Bus Safety Laws
Red Light Safety
The purpose of the White Plains red-light safety camera program is to increase traffic safety in White Plains by reducing red-light running violations, collisions, and injuries.
A red-light running violation occurs when a motorist enters an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red. A red-light running violation also occurs when a vehicle does not come to a full and complete stop for a turn-on-red. This violation, in both situations, is a non-moving infraction and does not result in the assessment of points against the driver.
How does the red light camera work?
- The system activates when motion is detected just prior to the stop bar AFTER the traffic signal has turned red. The cameras capture two images of an alleged violation, taken from the rear of the vehicle.
- The first image shows the vehicle at the white stop bar and the illuminated red light.
- The second image shows the violator in the middle of the intersection with the red light illuminated.
- The license plate image is a close-up from one of the images captured.
- Data, including the time, date, and duration of the yellow and red lights, also is recorded.
- Cameras also record a 12-second digital video of the violation, including six seconds prior to and six seconds after running the red light.
Active Red Light Camera Locations
- SB Mamaroneck Ave @ Bryant Ave
- NB Mamaroneck Ave @ Bryant Ave
- EB Main St @ Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
- EB Main St @ Bank St
- WB Martine Ave @ Mamaroneck Ave
- NB Bank St @ Hamilton Ave
- WB Hamilton Ave @ Bank St.
- WB Hamilton Ave @ Cottage Pl
- EB Westchester Ave @ South Kensico Ave
- WB Westchester Ave @ South Kensico Ave
- SB North Broadway @ Hamilton Ave
- NB Mamaroneck Ave @ Ridgeway
- SB South Lexington @ Maple Ave
- NB North St @ Bryant Ave
- SB Tarrytown Rd @ Central Ave
Paying the Violation
The fine is $50.00 for each offense. There are multiple ways to pay your fine:
Pay Online: The fastest and easiest way to pay your Notice is to pay online. Go to www.ViolationInfo.com and log on with your Notice # and PIN shown in the red box on the front of this notice. There is a $5 convenience fee for online payment.
Payment by Mail: Mail your check or money order (payable to the City of White Plains) in the envelope enclosed with the notice. DO NOT MAIL CASH. Be sure to put the Notice # on the face of your payment. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service at 1-866-790-4111. Please mail your payment leaving 10 days in order to be received in a timely manner.
Payment by Phone: Call toll free 1-866-790-4111 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is a $5 convenience fee for online payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What company provides the Red-light Safety Cameras in White Plains?
The city has contracted with American Traffic Solutions Inc. (ATS) which provides more than 300 communities across North American with red-light and speed safety camera programs. More information about ATS is available at www.atsol.com.
How do I know that these violations are valid?
Images of your vehicle were captured and recorded by a Red-light Safety Camera. You can review your images and video of the actual occurrence online at www.violationinfo.com . The images and video were reviewed by several qualified technicians and finally by the City of White Plains Department of Public Safety before the alleged civil violation was affirmed and mailed to you as the registered owner.
Can I turn right on red at a red light camera intersection?
New York law requires all vehicles to stop on a red light signal. Right turns on red are permitted unless otherwise posted. The camera will capture right turn violations on vehicles that proceed without first coming to a full stop.
Who receives the citation?
Citations are mailed to the owner and/or registrant of the vehicle. The owner and/or registrant is legally liable to pay the fine.
What if I wasn’t the driver of the vehicle at the time of the violation?
According to New York State law, the owner and / or registrant are legally responsible to pay the fine without regard to whether they were actually driving at the time of the infraction.