Northern Lehigh SD: 39 bus‑patrol notifications lead to 32 citations; district outlines enforcement and next steps

Superintendent Dr. Link said Northern Lehigh School District’s bus‑patrol camera program generated 39 notifications this academic year, of which 32 were reviewed and deemed clear citations for motorists who drove past stopped school buses.

“This along with just communication — please be aware of our school buses. It’s our children. It’s your children. It’s our students,” Dr. Link told the board during the district’s Nov. meeting, urging community caution.

Why it matters: the cameras provide video and photographic evidence of stop‑arm violations and allow Chief Jones and his team to review each incident. The district said the program can identify problem locations that may benefit from operational changes (for example, moving a stop away from an intersection).

The district described enforcement and penalties: the board was told the citation process typically names the vehicle owner as the respondent and that the vehicle owner must demonstrate they were not the driver to avoid liability. “It’s just fine every time because it’s a, the citation actually goes to the owner of the vehicle and not to the driver per se,” a district representative explained. The board was also told the mandatory fine for a stopped‑bus violation is $300.

Board members pressed staff for follow‑up and clarification. A board member asked whether repeat offenders face license suspension; district counsel explained the vehicle‑owner citation does not, by itself, include license suspension and that the program’s administrative mechanism does not assess points in the same way as some driver‑focused sanctions.

District officials said Chief Jones invited board members to review selected camera captures and that staff may relocate problematic stops to improve visibility and safety. The board asked for periodic updates on citation counts and the program’s effect on driver behavior.

What’s next: the district will continue reviewing camera notifications, issue citations where warranted, and provide the board periodic updates on counts and any operational changes intended to reduce violations.