More Than 800 Tickets Given To Drivers Who Illegally Pass School Buses

Sign up for the Cartersville Patch newsletter!

----

As the school year comes to a close, transportation officials with Bartow County Schools are evaluating the district’s automated stop-arm enforcement program utilizing REDFLEX Student GuardianTM.

The technology is a safety camera system that monitors and detects drivers who illegally pass school buses, a maneuver that endangers the lives of students as they enter and exit the bus.

During the 2014-15 school year, more than 800 tickets were issued for illegally passing a school bus while the stop arm was extended and amber lights were flashing, a fine that carries a $300 penalty.

“We originally launched this program to improve student safety at school bus stops. In our minds, one injury or incident is simply one too many,” said Jody Elrod, director of transportation for the Bartow County School System. “The findings show the program is working as intended. We are able to detect and cite drivers who break the law and put your children’s safety a risk. Without this technology, the vast majority of these violators would not be held accountable.”

Bartow County was among the first counties in Georgia to approve the use of stop arm enforcement. Currently, 17 buses are installed with Student Guardian. Officials will evaluate data from the school year to determine whether additional high-risk routes should be outfitted with the system in the future.

• RELATED: Over 500 Drivers Cited For Illegally Passing Bartow School Buses

“Drivers who illegally pass school buses often don’t realize their split second actions can have deadly consequences,” said Thomas O’Connor, president of Redflex Student Guardian. “Automated stop-arm enforcement is the most effective tool school officials have at their disposal to curb the crime and heighten driver awareness.”

The Student Guardian safety camera system is installed on the front and rear driver’s side of a school bus. It monitors traffic while the bus’ stop arm and amber lights are displayed, leaving the bus driver free to focus on students.

Evidence of violations, including video and photos, is submitted to local law enforcement to determine whether a citation is warranted. Student Guardian has been developed by Redflex Traffic Systems®, Inc., a leading provider of road safety technologies and photo enforcement solutions throughout North America.

Bartow County Schools reached an agreement with Redflex to operate the Student Guardian program without any upfront costs to the district or county. The program is fully funded by violations.

-----

Image via Patch file