Gwinnett moves closer to school bus cameras

Gwinnett County commissioners approved an agreement Tuesday that could help the county school district catch motorists driving past school buses picking up or dropping off students.

School officials want cameras on the school bus “stop” sign arms that warn of children entering or exiting the bus. The Gwinnett school district had hoped to begin placing the cameras on the buses by the start of this school year but it needed an agreement with the county government to allow the county to prosecute and fine violators.

School district administrators have been negotiating with Redflex Traffic Systems, a company that has been under a federal bribery investigation in Chicago. Redflex officials said they have fired some high-level employees since the bribery allegations and note more than 100 agencies have since signed or renewed contracts with the company.