Cheshire's buses could soon get a slight makeover, but it's not a new look or upgraded engines making headlines. Instead, select buses on the town's busiest routes could soon see interior and exterior cameras installed as a measure to improve security.
The plan, now before the Cheshire Town Council's Planning Committee, would include only a select number of buses and most would be traveling along Route 10 in town.
Police said Thursday that motorists passing stopped school buses has become more of an issue in recent years, with cars passing by as buses attempt to drop students off.
Connecticut state statutes require that motorists come to a complete stop near a bus when the lights are blinking and violators face fines up to $500.
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According to Cheshire Board of Education officials, the town is exploring whether Redflex technology could be an appropriate answer to the problem. Southington is the only other town in the area that has bus cameras and the district also uses Redflex technology.
In an article published in the Cheshire Citizen this week, Vincent Masciana, director of management services for the Cheshire schools, said the efforts are being done purely for student safety:
"It’s in the best interests of the safety of the students, from the school district’s point of view,” Masciana said.
Under the plan implemented, the state would get 20 percent of any fines, Redflex would get 52 percent and the town would receive 28 percent. This system is designed to help assure that implementation of the cameras comes at little to no cost to taxpayers.
There has been no timetable set for when the plan could be discussed before the Planning Committee. For more information on Redflex cameras, visit the company's website by clicking the link.
Is this a good solution to the problem? How would you like to see schools address safety issues related to buses? Tell us below.
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