PROVIDENCE, RI – Starting today, Thursday, October 3, enforcement of the new school bus safety initiative will begin, marking the end of the warning period. In a proactive effort to address dangerous driving behavior around school buses, the City of Providence and Providence Police Department have partnered with the Providence Public School District (PPSD) and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) to launch an equitable school bus safety enforcement program to curb illegal school bus passings and better protect students. 

“We are proud to be part of this school bus safety initiative to help prevent dangerous driving around our students,” said PPSD Superintendent Dr. Javier Montañez. “Student safety is a priority in our efforts to educate Providence children. A safe community encourages better attendance and engagement and supports improved academic outcomes.” 

As part of this safety initiative, all 154 Providence Public Schools buses, operated by First Student, are now equipped with cutting-edge photo enforcement technology to detect and document vehicles that fail to stop for school buses, putting children at risk. The video evidence will be reviewed by local law enforcement before issuing a summons to violators. 

“Providence families deserve peace of mind knowing their children are safe while traveling to and from school,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Greene. “This school bus safety program, equipped with advanced technology, will help ensure that safety and prevent tragic accidents. As enforcement begins, we urge all drivers to prioritize the safety of our children and follow school bus traffic laws.” 

To further enhance safety, interior cameras will monitor activity onboard the buses. 

“At First Student, the safety and well-being of students are at the forefront of everything we do. We are  proud to partner with the City of Providence and Providence Public Schools on this critical initiative. By equipping our buses with the latest safety technology, we are taking an important step toward ensuring that every student arrives at school and returns home safely. This program is a testament to our shared commitment to protecting the children entrusted to our care,” said First Student Area General Manager Richard Caprirolo. 

“We’re proud to partner with the City of Providence and Providence Public Schools to tackle reckless motorist behavior around school buses,” said Justin Meyers, President and Chief Innovation Officer at BusPatrol. “This partnership is a win-win for student safety and is proven to significantly reduce the rate of violations, with some communities successfully reducing violations by over 40% since implementing this technology.” 

 

In accordance with Rhode Island state law, motorists approaching from either direction must stop for a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing. Only motorists approaching from the opposite direction on a divided highway with a barrier or median may proceed with caution. The penalty for a first-time offense is $250 and up to $500 for subsequent offenses. If enforced through a school bus safety camera, the infraction is considered a civil penalty with no license points.  

 

Learn more about the Providence School Bus Safety Program at www.providenceschools.org/bussaftey 

 

For more information about Providence Public Schools, visit www.providenceschools.org. Follow Providence Public Schools on Facebook, X (@pvdschools), or Instagram (@pvdschools) for timely updates. 

 

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