Atlanta to begin school bus safety enforcement effort
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced Tuesday the city is partnering with its school system to install external cameras on school buses to catch motorists who illegally pass stopped buses when they are picking up or dropping off students.
“The installation of these external cameras will not only help to decrease the number of drivers who illegally pass school buses, but also hold offenders accountable for their actions,” Reed said in a statement.
Atlanta Public Schools would pay for the installation and maintenance costs of the cameras, city officials said. The city government will pay for the adjudication of disputed citations, which will be handled by Atlanta Municipal Court. Enforcement will begin once an agreement is signed by the city, the school system and American Traffic Solutions, which would provide the cameras and help install them.
The fines will likely be $300 for the first offense.
Several metro Atlanta school districts have similar programs. Gwinnett was the latest to put cameras on some of its buses. Gwinnett started citing violators last month.
About the Author
Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.
