Dearborn Begins AI Camera Enforcement on School Buses To Stop Illegal Passing

Dearborn launched an AI-powered school bus safety program on Monday. Cameras will catch drivers who pass buses when they shouldn't. The city became Michigan's first to deploy the BusPatrol system across every school bus in a district.

AI cameras on buses help police ticket motorists who fail to stop when buses pick up or drop off students. Every Dearborn Public Schools bus carries the technology now.

Across Michigan, motorists pass school buses when they're not supposed to around 2,200 times each day. Michigan law says drivers must stop at least 20 feet from a school bus when red lights flash and stay stopped until the bus moves again or the signals shut off.

"Our top priority is the safety of our youngest residents," Mayor Abdullah Hammoud said per The Detroit News. "We're implementing this now because the need is clear, the tools are proven and protecting our children cannot wait any longer."

The BusPatrol AI engine spots violations from up to eight lanes away, per the company's website. Police check each possible violation before sending out a ticket to make sure it's accurate and fair.

"The reality is that police officers can't be at every bus, every day and going forward there will be equitable, fair enforcement across the city to make our roads safer and our kids safer," Dearborn Police Chief Issa Shahin said.

Student safety shot to the top of concerns after a speeding driver hit a 15-year-old Fordson High School student in December 2024, leaving the teen in critical condition. Since then, the city installed more speed bumps, lit-up traffic signs, and raised crosswalks. All meant to slow down reckless drivers.

Sam Olson works at BusPatrol America as director of government relations and strategic partnerships. He said suspected violators get a secure link to watch video evidence. "The goal is not tickets," Olson said. "The goal is prevention and safer streets for our children."

Drivers pay $250 for a first offense. Any additional offenses within one year cost $500 each. The program runs on money from fines, not tax dollars.

Dearborn Public Schools Interim Superintendent Lamis Srour said the district's buses make about 1.5 million trips each year, moving more than 4,400 students around.