Should NH put cameras on school buses to catch those who pass them illegally?

Several states have passed laws allowing school districts to mount cameras on school buses to record whether drivers are passing illegally when buses are stopped to let off or pick up children.

In Austin, Texas, a similar move resulted in catching over 6,600 motorists over a period of just four months. By one estimate, drivers in the United States illegally passed school buses over 13 million times in 2015.

New Hampshire law prohibits passing a school bus when it is stopped with red lights flashing. Fines for a first offense are $150, ranging up to $1000 for repeat offenders.

Supporters of putting cameras on school buses argue that the cost of the cameras would be more than made up by the fines from catching offenders. They hold that the cameras would act to deter illegal passing, increasing the safety of students exiting or entering the bus.

In addition to expressing privacy concerns, opponents argue the move would be more about gaining additional revenue than enhancing public safety.