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Pittsfield Today
By the People, for the People
Pittsfield Launches New School Bus Stop-Arm Camera Pilot
Drivers on divided highways with medians no longer required to stop, but fines in place for passing stopped buses.
Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:52pm
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Pittsfield's new school bus stop-arm cameras aim to crack down on dangerous driving and protect children through innovative enforcement.Pittsfield TodayPittsfield, Massachusetts has launched a new pilot program using stop-arm cameras on school buses to catch drivers who illegally pass stopped buses. While state law requires all traffic in both directions to stop for school buses, drivers on the opposite side of a divided highway with a physical median are exempt from this requirement. The new camera program aims to enforce the law and issue hefty fines to violators.
Why it matters
Student safety is a top priority, and the new stop-arm camera program in Pittsfield is an effort to crack down on dangerous driving behavior around school buses. With the exception of divided highways, drivers are legally required to stop when school bus lights are flashing, but many continue to illegally pass stopped buses, putting children at risk.
The details
The stop-arm camera pilot program was launched on March 23 and is currently being used on Bus 128 in Pittsfield. The cameras capture the license plates of vehicles that pass a stopped school bus with its stop sign extended and red lights flashing. Footage is reviewed by the Pittsfield Police Department, and violators face a $250 fine for the first offense and $500 for the second offense.
- The stop-arm camera pilot program launched on March 23, 2026.
- The program is currently being used on Pittsfield Public Schools' Bus 128.
The players
Pittsfield Public Schools
The public school district in Pittsfield, Massachusetts that has implemented the new stop-arm camera program on its buses.
Pittsfield Police Department
The law enforcement agency responsible for reviewing footage from the stop-arm cameras and issuing fines to violators.
What’s next
The Pittsfield Public Schools and Pittsfield Police Department plan to expand the stop-arm camera program to additional buses in the coming months if the pilot is successful.
The takeaway
The new stop-arm camera program in Pittsfield is an important step in improving student safety and holding drivers accountable for illegally passing stopped school buses. While drivers on divided highways are exempt, the hefty fines for violators should serve as a strong deterrent for dangerous driving behavior in all other situations.
