Scofflaws who blow past stopped school buses because they think they can’t be sufficiently identified to ever go to court, just got a new problem – artificial intelligence.

The Northwestern Lehigh School District approved a proposal to participate in a program designed to cut down on drivers ignoring school buses.

The school board heard April 20 from Matthew Anderson of Bus Patrol America, LLC who said his company can equip school buses with the technology to photograph the offending car, record its license plate number and provide the information to Pennsylvania State Police.

The state police would, if they agree that its warranted, issue a ticket to the registered owner of the offending vehicle.

They could prosecute the case even if it is unclear who was driving the vehicle.

And, according to Anderson who was on a conference call with the school board, this can be done with no cost to the school district.

The resulting fine would be $300 of which the school district will get $250, the state police will get $25 and the School Bus Grant Safety program account would get $25.

It was not immediately clear from where the company would get a share of the proceeds from the fine.

The case would be adjudicated by a judge magistrate.

Bus Patrol America spokesperson Kate Spree said a very low percent of ticketed people contest the citation because the company can provide a web link where the video of the incident can be viewed.

“You can see the evidence against you,” she said.

Bus Patrol’s website describes the technology used on the school bus fleet as “Automated stop-arm enforcement technology.”

“Through data collection and video monitoring, we collaborate with law enforcement to issue citations and reduce stop-arm violations. Our AI-Enabled Stop-Arm Camera School Bus Safety Program solution helps police issue tickets and enforce critical law to change driver behavior.”

School district spokesperson Stacy Eisenhard said this program does not indicate an increase in drivers illegally passing school buses, which she described as being very low.

In other business. Joseph Huber, the principal and CEO of Circle of Seasons Charter School, introduced himself to the school board and the school staff who were present at the meeting.

Also in other business, School Board President Williard “Bill” Delliker congratulated David Hunsicker upon Hunsicker’s retirement as president and CEO and chairman of New Tripoli Bank.

Hunsicker, in his 49-year career at the bank, has been a strong supporter of the Northwestern Lehigh School District.