News Summary
As the new school year begins, Georgia’s Department of Public Safety emphasizes safe driving around school buses. With new camera systems being introduced, they aim to penalize motorists who illegally pass stopped buses, addressing a concerning rise in bus accidents attributed to drivers this year. Stricter laws, including fines and license penalties, are in place to protect students. The initiative aims to enhance safety for approximately 25 million students who rely on school buses nationwide.
Atlanta, Georgia – As the new school year commences, officials from the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) are urging the public to prioritize safe driving around school buses. This plea comes as new camera systems are being rolled out in various school districts to catch motorists who illegally pass stopped buses.
Statistics reveal that school buses are one of the safest modes of transportation for children, with fewer than 1% of traffic fatalities involving children occurring on school buses. However, there have been concerning trends this year, with 95 school bus crashes statewide attributed to the actions of other drivers since August 1, 2025. Colonel William W. Hitchens, III, the Commissioner of the Georgia DPS, emphasizes the critical need for all drivers to adhere strictly to traffic laws, especially near school buses and in school zones.
Georgia is among 25 states that permit the use of stop-arm cameras on school buses to identify and penalize drivers who violate these laws. Under the regulations of Addy’s Law, enacted on July 1, 2024, fines for passing a stopped school bus can be substantial. Atlanta Public Schools is taking proactive measures by equipping its buses with new exterior cameras for the 2025-26 school year, specifically designed to record vehicles that fail to stop when the bus’s stop-arm is extended. This initiative aligns with a broader effort to enhance student safety.
Drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses face a stiff $1,000 fine and accumulate points against their driving record. Those under 21 years old face an automatic license suspension for such violations. Adam Johnson, a representative from Atlanta Public Schools, highlighted the importance of these measures in safeguarding the lives of students.
Additionally, Hall County Schools are implementing a similar camera system on their buses, which will securely capture video evidence of any violations. This system employs three cameras along with artificial intelligence technology to detect illegal passing efficiently. Currently, the expense of fitting a single bus with this camera system is approximately $5,000, and there are plans to install them across all school buses within the district.
The implications of passing a stopped school bus are serious; aside from the $1,000 fine, offenders also receive six points on their driving licenses. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) further underscores the dangers, noting that there were 128 deaths nationwide related to school bus accidents in 2023, including four fatalities in Georgia. Most injuries and tragic incidents occur when children are either boarding or disembarking from buses while the extended stop sign is in place.
Nationwide, around 25 million students utilize approximately 500,000 school buses each year, underscoring the scale of this issue. According to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation, there has been a downward trend in illegal passing of school buses; however, a recent survey highlighted that approximately 218,000 illegal passings occurred during the last school year alone, predicting potential totals of over 39 million violations each year across the country. This alarming number has propelled policymakers to consider stricter penalties and support the integration of photographic evidence for citations regarding school bus stop violations.
Furthermore, the National Transportation Safety Board has recommended that states adopt legislation aimed at reducing instances where children must cross streets to board buses. In tandem with the introduction of stop-arm cameras, this recommendation seeks to create a safer environment for schoolchildren as they travel to and from school.
In conclusion, as the new academic year kicks off, maintaining safety around school buses should be a top priority for all drivers in Georgia. The combination of stricter laws, enhanced monitoring through camera technology, and community awareness efforts aim to protect children’s lives and ensure their safe travels to school.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Atlanta News First
- Google Search: Georgia school bus safety
- WSB TV
- Wikipedia: School bus safety
- Fox 5 Atlanta
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School bus
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AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
