Over the upcoming Spring Break, the first set of 10 Portsmouth Public Schools (PPS) school buses will
have new stop arm cameras installed to begin use Monday, April 8. This proactive addition by the
division is to help keep students as safe as possible when they board and deboard the bus.
According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, drivers are required to take the following
actions when approaching a school bus that has its stop sign extended:
- stop for stopped school buses with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign when
approaching from any direction;
- remain stopped until everyone is clear and the bus moves again; and
- stop whenever the bus is loading or unloading passengers, even if the lights and stop sign are
not activated.
As the name suggests, stop arm cameras are cameras that have been attached to the lever that
connects a school bus and its stop sign. The stop arm cameras can then capture drivers/motorists who
do not adhere to the stop sign laws and continue driving ahead of the bus.
Footage from the stop arm cameras will be provided to police, who approve the issue of a citation,
carrying a $250 fine. These citations will be mailed directly to the registered owner of the vehicle
captured by the camera.
In PPS, the stop arm cameras will be operational beginning Monday, April 8; however, the division will
have a 30-day warning period for this first month of implementation. Beginning Wednesday May 6, all
violations will lead to the issuing of citations and fines.
The entire PPS fleet will be equipped with stop-arm cameras by the end of the summer of 2024.
For more information about the stop arm cameras, you can access this Frequently Asked Questions list.
For specific questions and concerns, families can email [email protected].