AI technology works to target illegal school bus passings

BLACKFOOT, Idaho (KIFI) - Every year, over two-hundred thousand illegal school bus passings happen every year across the United States. Local school bus drivers report that many of them are repeat offenders along their routes.

In Southeast Idaho, Teton Stage Lines is working with AngelTrax to hold these drivers accountable.

"Technology has advanced and that's great," Teton Stage Lines Operations Manager, Nathan Harrington, said. "However, so has the distractions of the everyday driver in their vehicle at this point has also advanced with it."

AngelTrax developed this AI detection tool, which is being used in other states. It is a small device on the side of the school bus which records when a driver runs the school buses stop sign.

"It will then notify AngelTrax of the violation that has taken place," Harrington said. "And then human interaction will take place at this."

So far, AngelTrax has noticed improvements across the states they are utilized in.

"We have actually seen that 98% of violating that have violated the law, never do it again once receiving a citation," Katherine Tolar, the Vice President of Operations at AngelTrax, said. "So we do know that it's changing driver behavior. And we also know in other programs across the United States that we have seen a decrease year over year, up to 33%, which is a huge decrease in what is happening with these children. And the risk to these children as they're entering and exiting the bus."

They are currently working with Idaho lawmakers to allow the technology across the state. However, both organizations urge you not to wait until AI can hold you accountable, but to take extra care when you see a school bus on the road.

"Slow down and take a moment to reflect on what you can do and the repercussions that you can play in the children's lives and families lives at that point," Harrington said.

How to safely drive around a school bus

Lights:

• Yellow Flashing Lights: The bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children; slow down and prepare to stop.
• Red Flashing Lights & Extended Stop Arm: You must come to a complete stop. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a stopped school bus when these signals are active

Road type:

• Two-Lane Road: Traffic moving in both directions must stop
• Multi-Lane Road (without a median): Traffic moving in both directions must stop
• Divided Highway (with a physical median or barrier): Traffic moving in the same direction as the bus must stop; traffic moving in the opposite direction may proceed with caution

General Safety:

• Distance: Stop at least 20 feet away from the front or rear of the bus to give children room to walk safely.
• Blind Spots & Unpredictability: Children often cross the street directly in front of the bus and may not be visible to passing drivers.
• After the Stop: Wait until the red lights turn off and the stop arm retracts - and make sure all children are safely clear of the roadway - before moving
• No Distractions: Avoid using mobile phones or electronic devices while driving near school buses or in active school zones

You can find more information about local bus safety on the Idaho Department of Transportation's website.