Stop-arm violations remain a persistent problem across the U.S. despite years of public awareness campaigns and media coverage. According to a recent survey by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), more than 39.3 million stop-arm violations occurred during the 2024-2025 school year. This figure reflects improvement over the previous year, but it still means millions of motorists ignored stopped school buses.

While every state has laws against passing stopped school buses, 30 states authorize the use of exterior school bus cameras to capture violations. One of those states is Colorado.

After a few near misses, South Routt School District RE-3 in northern Colorado enhanced its existing bus surveillance systems with REI’s AI Stop-Arm Violation Cameras. The IP camera uses vision-based AI to detect violations while the stop arm is extended, day or night. When a violation occurs, it automatically flags the DVR’s timeline and prompts ARMOR Software Suite to auto-download the violation video for review.

What benefits has the Colorado district experienced since installing the cameras? How have they affected stop-arm violations? Read on to discover how the camera’s technology is helping the district improve safety and streamline operations.

Violation Detection

Delbert Bostock, the district’s transportation director, notes the stop-arm camera’s impact on violation count, “Before we put the cameras on our buses, we were getting run all the time. We’ve really slowed down. It was on average between six and eight [violations] a month. Now, I went four weeks without one.”

He points out that community awareness has also played a part in reducing violations, “We’re a small community. And with the publicity, if you get pulled over and get a ticket for running a stop arm, you’re going to tell your neighbors about it.”

Driver Interaction

Drivers have enough to focus on to keep students safe. The AI Stop-Arm Violation Camera minimizes their role in detecting illegal passings.

“It makes [violation detection] easier while the bus driver is concentrating on a student getting on or off the bus,” Bostock adds.

Bus drivers no longer need to constantly watch for violators or press a panic button to flag recordings, reducing their workload and stress. The camera automates these tasks, allowing drivers to devote their attention to student activities inside and outside the bus. Fewer distractions behind the wheel are a significant safety benefit.

Increased Efficiency

Stop-arm camera systems allow operations to capture illegal passings, but finding violation footage often requires lengthy searches through DVR recordings. For officials already balancing staffing, maintenance and other operational tasks, the research can be trying.

The AI Stop-Arm Violation Camera enables transportation teams to quickly find and review violation footage within the integrated ARMOR Software Suite. ARMOR also allows users to generate evidence packages for law enforcement, saving time and reducing manual work. Here’s how the system works:

1. As a violation is detected, the camera automatically flags the DVR’s timeline.
2. The camera also triggers the license plate cameras to capture the violator’s plates.
3. ARMOR is also prompted to download the video clip, plate images and metadata from the DVR.
4. ARMOR receives and stores the video and data shortly after the violation, making it easy to find for quick review.
5. Once a violation is confirmed, the user can instruct ARMOR to generate an evidence package with plate images and relevant data and/or a link to the video clip.
6. Administration can email the password-protected package or link to law enforcement.

According to Bostock, “It just makes finding the plate and the infraction itself simpler and makes my job more efficient and easier. I look at the footage, make a copy and then send it to law enforcement. Within about 20 minutes, I can have it in the sheriff department’s hands, in their email file.”

He goes on to describe how the cameras’ capabilities have changed his workdays, “I have more time to interact with my staff and look at other video footage that we have. And it enables me to do my job better because I’m a one-man show here. I’m the director, a driver and, if needed, the mechanic. It enables me to work on the bus when I need to work on the bus and just frees up time throughout the day, so I’m getting other things accomplished.”

Enforcement Support

High-definition video evidence can strengthen partnerships between school districts and law enforcement. When violations are recorded clearly, officers review the footage and pursue enforcement actions with greater confidence.

Bostock sees that firsthand, “[Law enforcement] likes how the camera focuses down on the stop arm. They love that view better than the other views we’ve been using. I send them the footage, and it’s pretty cut and dry. We don’t tolerate [violations] and write tickets for all of it. If it’s on video, it goes to court and it works out great.”

Next Steps

Stop-arm violations continue to endanger students nationwide, making reliable detection and enforcement essential. REI’s AI Stop-Arm Violation Camera, paired with ARMOR Software Suite, helps document violations, support investigations and keep drivers focused on student safety. By automating key processes, the system helps districts like South Routt RE-3 operate more efficiently and safely.

Seeking stronger violation enforcement and greater efficiency? AI-powered stop-arm technology offers a crucial next step. Call 800.228.9275, contact us or your REI sales representative for more information about the AI Stop-Arm Violation Camera.

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