Apr 17, 2008

Don't Pass Stopped School Buses

The Syracuse City School District is using the Mobile Plate Hunter-900 to identify the license plates of cars illegally passing stopped school buses. The MPH-900 System, which is used by nearly 300 law enforcement agencies in 29 states across the country, features progressive infrared cameras capable of scanning the license plates of passing cars within seconds, translating the digital pictures into data and then relaying that information to police personnel.

“This technology has been well-received by law enforcement personnel in large urban metropolises, mid-size cities and rural towns all across America,” said Mark Windover, CEO of ELSAG North America, the maker of the MPH-900. “It has been instrumental in the conviction of murderers and in the apprehension of sex offenders violating parole. Motorists who pass school buses present a real danger to the quality of life in our communities. We are pleased that the MPH-900 will be used for the first time in the nation by Syracuse, New York’s schools to aid in the deterrence of these offenders.”

The MPH-900 is being posted on one city school bus equipped with three cameras to cover lanes to the left and right of the bus. Starting April 7, the technology began reading only the license plates of cars that pass stopped school bus operators who are boarding or discharging passengers. At the end of the day, police review the plate captures compiled by the MPH-900. They then proceed to investigate anyone who violated the law. The license plate reader is being subsidized by a grant from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The New York Association for Pupil Transportation is managing the project.