You've Been Warned: Citations for Bus Stop-Arm Violations Begin in Gwinnett

The violation warning period for the Gwinnett County School Bus Stop-Arm Enforcement Program ended Tuesday, Jan. 6. The program now will issue citations to drivers who are found to illegally pass school buses, endangering the lives of children.

The district uses an automated safety camera system designed to monitor school bus passing violations and deter drivers from illegally passing school buses. Installed on the driver’s side of the school bus, it monitors traffic while the bus’ stop arm and warning lights are displayed, leaving the bus driver free to focus on students.

The camera is triggered to capture data, including high-resolution images and video, as a vehicle passes the bus while children are loading and unloading.

During the warning period, more than 200 buses were equipped with the cameras and more than 1,000 warnings were issued to drivers who had illegally driven around the bus’ stop-arm.

“Student safety is paramount for Gwinnett County Public Schools. The number of warnings issued during this test period is concerning. We launched this program as a way to modify driver behavior around our school buses, and we look forward to seeing fewer violations over time,” says Danny Jardine, Gwinnett County Public Schools Chief Operations Officer.

In Georgia, if a law enforcement official cites a driver for illegally passing a school bus, the fine is up to $1,000, a mandatory court appearance, and six points on the driver’s license. Drivers cited through the school district’s program will earn no points on the license but face a $300 fine for the first offense, $750 for the second offense and $1,000 for a third or greater offense within five years.

Citations will be mailed to registered owners of the vehicle. Citizens who receive a citation can pay the fine, identify the driver, or contest the ticket in court.

Citations include a link to www.photonotice.com where images and video of the incident can be viewed, and customer service can be contacted.

“Far too many drivers underestimate the consequences of illegally passing a school bus. Cutting a few minutes off your commute is not worth endangering a child’s life,” said Thomas O’Connor, president of Redflex Student Guardian. “Photo enforcement is one of the most effective ways to curb this dangerous behavior, while also holding violators accountable.”

According to a 2014 study by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, 29 states found that almost 86,000 vehicles illegally passed 97,000 school buses in one day. That represents nearly 13 million illegal passes nationally in a typical 180-day school year.

To date, more than 230 of the planned 300 stop arm cameras are installed on GCPS school buses.

For more information regarding the Gwinnett County School Bus Stop-Arm Enforcement Program visit the school district’s website at www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us.

— Gwinnett County School System press release