Miami-Dade Schools relaunches school bus camera program

Now, officials are focusing on improving coordination and expanding community education efforts to increase awareness of the law.

This program is one of the largest in the country and uses AI-powered stop-arm cameras on nearly 1,000 school buses. These cameras catch drivers who illegally pass stopped buses when children are boarding or disembarking. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office will review the recorded evidence to decide if a violation occurred.

In 2025, the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office raised concerns that led state lawmakers to clarify parts of Florida law about how violations are handled. This change made the program more streamlined and transparent, now including virtual hearings run by a local hearing officer.

Now, drivers who want to challenge a violation notice can do so through a virtual hearing with an administrative law judge from the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings. The Legislature approved this change last year to make the process more consistent with other state traffic camera programs.

“This initiative is about making sure we do everything we can to protect children during one of the most vulnerable times of their day, while also keeping the process fair, accountable, and transparent,” said Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz.

“With the updated procedures now in place and enhanced coordination across agencies, the program can be implemented effectively and will be closely monitored for any needed changes to ensure it promotes safer, more responsible driving.”

BusPatrol, which works with School Districts across Florida and the country, says its community-based program improves student safety around school buses and invests heavily in driver education.

“Miami-Dade, with a united front among all stakeholders, is setting the standard for how a thoughtful, community-based program should be implemented — with strong oversight, tight coordination among stakeholders, and a shared commitment to student safety,” said Steve Randazzo, Chief Growth Officer at BusPatrol.

Every day in Florida, thousands of drivers illegally pass stopped school buses, putting students at serious risk. Safety officials say these stop-arm programs help reveal a widespread problem that often goes unnoticed. Over time, these programs lead to fewer violations as drivers adjust their behavior.

“We have a responsibility to ensure every student can get to and from school safely, and this program is a critical part of that commitment,” said José Dotres, Superintendent of Miami-Dade Public Schools.