Ottawa school buses equipped with AI-powered cameras to detect drivers not stopping

Ten Ottawa school buses are now equipped with artificial intelligence-powered cameras to keep an eye out for drivers illegally passing stopped school buses, to help officials identify “hot spot” locations for violations.

The Ottawa Student Transportation Authority (OSTA) has launched a new pilot program with BusPatrol, which uses technology to address the issue of illegal school bus passings.

“Some of our buses are now equipped with cameras that use artificial intelligence to detect when drivers don’t stop for the bus, putting students at risk,” the transportation authority said on X.

“We will be collecting data and video to reveal just how often cars illegally pass stopped school buses, and how technology could make our roads safer.”

As part of the initiative, 10 school buses are equipped with AI-powered stop-arm cameras. OSTA says the cameras are designed to detect when drivers fail to stop for a bus with its red lights flashing.

The data will be reviewed by OSTA and the City of Ottawa to understand how often violations occur and identify “hot spot” locations for violations.

The transportation authority says no citations will be issued to drivers during the pilot project.

Drivers must stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing, unless there is a physical median separating the roadway. The fine for failing to stop for a school bus range from $400 to $2,000 for a first offence and six demerit points.

The City of Ottawa launched a school bus camera pilot project in 2019, with camera systems installed on five school buses.

Each system consists of five individual cameras “strategically positioned” to capture images of motorists who fail to stop when a school bus arm is activated.

Data shows 365 tickets were issued by police between 2019 and 2025, with the majority of the infractions occurring on four-lane undivided arterial roadways, followed by major collectors, collectors and local roads, according to a report for the city in April.

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