IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (WHKY) — Drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses in parts of Iredell County could soon receive citations in the mail under a proposed camera enforcement program.

The Iredell County Board of Commissioners has directed county staff to begin preparing an ordinance that would allow automated cameras to enforce school bus stop-arm violations in the Mooresville Graded School District.

County officials say the district may experience as many as 50 stop-arm violations each week, prompting commissioners to explore additional enforcement measures to improve student safety.

Under the proposal, cameras mounted on school buses would record vehicles that pass while the bus is stopped with its red warning lights flashing and stop arm extended. The footage could then be used to issue civil violations to drivers.

Before the program can be implemented, the county must draft the ordinance, hold a public hearing and negotiate an agreement with a camera vendor.

Commissioners are initially focusing on the Mooresville Graded School District because of the reported number of violations. Additional details, including potential civil penalties and when the program could begin, have not yet been finalized.