PITTSBURGH \u2014 Pittsburgh Public Schools reports a significant decline in illegal school bus passings during the 2025-26 school year. <\/p>\n
PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Pittsburgh Public Schools reports AI-powered bus safety program is deterring dangerous driving<\/a><\/p>\n The district released its annual School Bus Safety Report Card on Thursday, highlighting its efforts to improve student safety around stopped school buses.<\/p>\n The district\u2019s fleet of 243 school buses recorded 10,328 stop-arm violations between August 2025 and June 2026 \u2014 an average of 0.39 violations per bus per day.<\/p>\n According to last year\u2019s report card, PPS mailed 10,989 notices of violation to drivers.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 11 Investigates viewer complaints about school bus cameras wrongly ticketing people<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cStudent safety is our highest responsibility, and this report card shows that our efforts are making a difference,\u201d PPS COO Michael McNamara said. \u201cWhile we\u2019re encouraged to see illegal passings decline, every violation represents a child placed at risk. This program is helping change driver behavior, increase awareness and create safer conditions for students traveling to and from school.\u201d <\/p>\n Officials reported that only 5.9% of violations were committed by repeat offenders since the program\u2019s inception, indicating that most drivers change their behavior after being cited.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 11 Investigates: Pittsburgh Public Schools responds to report of bus camera ticketing issues<\/a><\/p>\n Pittsburgh Public Schools partnered with BusPatrol in 2023 to equip its school bus fleet with AI-powered school bus safety technology. It\u2019s designed to identify drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses while children are boarding or exiting. Trained staff review video evidence before a citation is issued.<\/p>\n Violations captured through the school bus safety camera program carry a minimum civil penalty of $300.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> PPS, BusPatrol make $2.7M in nine months from school bus camera tickets<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cEvery reduction in violations represents fewer dangerous encounters between vehicles and children,\u201d said Rick Birt, vice president of government operations and safety at BusPatrol. \u201cPittsburgh\u2019s results demonstrate what can happen when school leaders, law enforcement, school bus drivers and the community work together toward a common goal. The progress is encouraging, but the mission remains the same: ensuring every child gets to and from school safely.\u201d<\/p>\n The district also identified specific locations where illegal passing remains a persistent concern. The 500 block of 40th Street recorded the highest number of violations at 225 during the school year. The 1700 block of PA-837 followed with 188 violations and the 100 block of PA-837 recorded 181 violations. <\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> New report suggests majority of contested school bus camera tickets are thrown out by judges<\/a><\/p>\n PPS officials connected the report card with the broader National School Bus Safety Call to Action, which was unveiled earlier this year. This national initiative includes recommendations for communities seeking to improve school bus safety, strengthen enforcement and increase public awareness. Each year, more than 39 million drivers illegally pass stopped school buses nationwide, creating dangerous situations for students. <\/p>\n Pennsylvania law requires motorists traveling in both directions to stop when a school bus displays flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, except in limited circumstances involving divided highways.<\/p>\n Download the FREE WPXI News app<\/a> for breaking news alerts.<\/p>\n Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook<\/a> and Twitter<\/a>. | Watch WPXI NOW<\/a><\/p>\n TOP STORIES FROM CHANNEL 11 NEWS <\/p>\n \u00a92026 Cox Media Group<\/p>\n