A new proposal in the Texas legislature is stirring up debate over school bus safety and government overreach. House Bill (HB) 3034, introduced by Rep. Tom Craddick (R-Midland), would allow Texas schools to install cameras on school buses to catch drivers who illegally pass when the stop arm is deployed. Supporters see it as a common-sense way to protect children, while opponents liken it to controversial red-light cameras and raise concerns about private companies profiting from enforcement.
The Case for School Bus Cameras
Proponents of the bill argue that school bus cameras could save lives by deterring reckless drivers. Rep. Craddick called the bill “a simple” and “lifesaving” measure. The idea is straightforward: if a vehicle illegally passes a stopped school bus, the camera captures an image, and a citation is issued.
Some municipalities in Texas are already using this technology. Companies like BusPatrol claim that their cameras have successfully reduced violations and increased accountability in areas where they have been implemented. According to Donny Wolfe, BusPatrol’s vice president, cameras have led to a decrease in dangerous driving behavior near school buses.
Rep. Marc LaHood (R-San Antonio) took a firm stance in favor of the bill, stating, “I don’t care how small the chances are that we can stop one child from being hit. I want to ensure that every opportunity, every chance to prevent that from happening.”
For districts like United Independent School District, which reported over 2,100 instances of illegal school bus passing during a pilot program, the cameras provide a potential solution to a real safety issue.
The Opposition: Unnecessary and Unconstitutional?
Critics, however, see things differently. They argue that the bill is a form of overreach and question whether the cameras are truly necessary. Terry Hall, speaking on behalf of the National Motorists Association (NMA) and other groups, pointed out that state data shows only two fatalities from illegal school bus passing over a nearly 10-year period—both of which involved adults. She called the bill “a solution in search of a problem.”
Opponents also raise concerns about due process, drawing comparisons to red-light cameras, which Texas banned in 2019 for being unconstitutional. Rep. Caroline Harris-Davila (R-Round Rock) shared her own experience of receiving an erroneous red-light camera ticket, emphasizing how difficult it can be for drivers to contest citations.
Another major issue is the role of private companies in enforcement. BusPatrol, the primary vendor for school bus cameras in the U.S., has a financial stake in the citations issued. In one Florida county, 11,500 warning letters were sent to drivers within the first two weeks of implementing the cameras. In New York, BusPatrol cameras resulted in 250,000 citations in a single year, potentially generating tens of millions in revenue.
Rep. Mitch Little (R-Lewisville) grilled Wolfe over his company’s profits, questioning why 70% of citation revenue should go to a Virginia-based company owned by private equity firms. Critics worry that these systems create a financial incentive to issue as many citations as possible, rather than simply ensuring safety.
Adding to the controversy, BusPatrol has ties to Force Multiplier Solutions (FMS), a company involved in a bribery scandal that led to the closure of Dallas County Schools in 2017. The former FMS CEO was sentenced to prison, and some question whether BusPatrol is simply a rebranded version of the disgraced company.
Is This a Public Safety Tool or a Revenue Generator?
The debate over school bus cameras reflects a larger tension in public safety policy—balancing enforcement with constitutional rights. Similar concerns have been raised over automatic license plate readers, leading some Texas lawmakers to propose limits on their use.
The Republican Party of Texas officially opposes HB 3034, signaling that this bill may face an uphill battle. It remains pending in committee, but if passed, it could lead to a statewide expansion of automated enforcement technology in Texas.
Final Thoughts
While everyone agrees that keeping children safe is a priority, the question is whether school bus cameras are the best way to achieve that goal. Are they a necessary deterrent, or do they open the door to the same problems that led Texas to ban red-light cameras?
With a private company standing to profit from every citation and constitutional concerns about automated enforcement, it’s clear that this debate is far from over. Texas lawmakers must weigh the benefits of enhanced school bus safety against the potential risks of turning traffic enforcement into a business.
