More surveillance cameras added to local school buses

Nine area school buses are now equipped with onboard cameras, designed to record bad driving habits and keep kids safe.

There are three bus providers in the Windsor-Essex region that use cameras inside and outside their buses. The bus lines using cameras include Sharp Bus Lines, First Student and Pearson. Each have three buses with cameras.

Sharp Bus Lines first installed cameras a few years ago.

Management and drivers there believe it has been so successful, they've purchased another surveillance system.

Sharp alone uses their cameras up to 100 times a year to solve problems that range from pick-up stop hazards, traffic infractions, student behaviour and driver behaviour.

John Deneau, a bus driver with the company, said the cameras hold drivers accountable.

"I can't count the amount of cars that have run right through the red light," he said. "This is a good tool, we call in license plates numbers, we make police reports. I know the police follow up on them.

"That's our children crossing in front of these buses."