Declan O’Scanlon, Republican senator for New Jersey’s 13th District, said a bill to install cameras on school buses would do little to improve child safety while creating significant financial burdens for drivers through automated ticketing.
“School bus cameras are a solution in search of a problem,” said Declan J Oscanlon. “It is, thankfully, extremely rare for a child to get hit by a passing vehicle. No need to cow tow to the corrupt automated enforcement companies and permit the camels nose under the tent. This wouldn’t improve safety, but would cost thousands of drivers caught in the dilemma zone – whose behavior posed no threat to any children – hundreds of millions of dollars.”
According to O’Scanlon, he voiced his opposition on X in response to inquiries about the bill introduced by Senator Patrick Diegnan. The legislation aims to allow municipalities to use automated cameras on school buses to issue tickets for illegal passing violations. O’Scanlon argued that existing bus cameras and current ticketing procedures with points already address these issues adequately.
New Jersey reports relatively few school bus-related accidents compared to national averages. Violations of school bus stopping laws in the state result in penalties, including fines up to $250 and five license points. A recent incident in Gloucester Township, where a 15-year-old was struck by a vehicle while boarding a bus, underscores the rare but serious risks involved. State authorities emphasize driver education and enforcement as key strategies for maintaining low incident rates around school buses.
National statistics reveal an average of 2.5 child fatalities annually due to vehicles illegally passing stopped school buses, contributing to broader school bus-related crashes. Between 2014 and 2023, 209 school-age children died in such incidents, with most fatalities not directly linked to passing violations. Federal and state campaigns aim to reduce these occurrences through awareness and stricter enforcement without resorting to unnecessary automation.
O’Scanlon graduated from Monmouth University with degrees in finance and psychology before entering politics. He served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 2008 to 2017 and has been a senator for the 13th District since 2018. As a Republican, he has held roles such as budget officer, advocating fiscal conservatism and opposing excessive government regulations.
