Hillsborough County Schools has implemented the BusPatrol program, using artificial intelligence to identify drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses.

Recent footage shows alarming incidents, including a black car passing a stopped bus and nearly hitting a student crossing the road. “These close calls are jarring for the average person, parents, and school administrators,” says BusPatrol America Chief Growth Officer Steve Randazzo.

The program uses an AI system called Ava that monitors bus telemetry, activating when the bus slows down and tracking when warning lights begin flashing. The system captures license plate information of violators and forwards it to law enforcement for potential citations.

According to Florida Department of Education data, drivers illegally pass school buses approximately 11,000 times daily, totaling nearly 2 million violations during a school year. Randazzo attributes many violations to distracted driving and urges patience: “Even if you’re rushing to a meeting, it’s not worth risking a child’s life.”

While specific citation numbers for Hillsborough County aren’t available, BusPatrol reports that 90% of ticketed drivers don’t receive a second citation.

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(Image credit: BusPatrol/WTVT)