Henry County Implements “Student Guardian” Program

As school districts across Georgia celebrate National School Bus Safety Week from October 22-26, Henry County has added more bite to its zero tolerance policy when it comes to keeping our school children safe.   With nearly 23,000 students traveling to and from school on buses in Henry, they and their parents expect their journey to be safe.

Unfortunately, a dangerous trend has emerged in our community which has put the safety of these children at risk.  School bus drivers, parents and Law Enforcement Officers are reporting an increased number of impatient drivers breaking the law and passing the bus as our children get on and off.   In fact, a survey conducted in school districts across Georgia recorded more than 7,300 illegal bus passes in the state in just one day. 

The issue of motorists passing our children’s buses is a major concern to the Sheriff’s Office and a source of apprehension to the Sheriff’s School Resource Officers.  This is why the Sheriff’s Office, the Board of Education, and the Solicitors Office have partnered with Redflex Traffic Systems to equip a selection of school buses with a new cutting edge school bus safety technology called Student Guardian.  Sheriff Keith McBrayer stated; “We view this technology as a necessary tool that will allow our Deputies to expand their reach as it relates to their ability to detect and enforce this most flagrant violation, endangering our children.”

The Georgia legislature has approved this new innovative system for use by law enforcement as has been done in many other states.  The Student Guardian uses high resolution cameras that begin operation when the school bus activates the red stop lights and extend the stop bar.  Drivers who choose to illegally pass after the signals are activated are recorded.  Traffic tickets are generated electronically to insure prompt action.  Solicitor-General Trea Pipkin stated: "Unfortunately, stop arm violations are far too common all across Georgia.  We want the public to be aware that when a school bus stop arm is out, all traffic must stop.  That's the law.  Thanks to these new cameras, there will be consequences for those who break the law and jeopardize the safety of our students."
Seven children were tragically killed in Georgia from 2009-2011 in school bus loading and unloading incidents.   Three of them were hit by a vehicle passing a stopped school bus. 

In recent years The Board of Education has taken significant steps to increase school bus safety.  Busses have been equipped with stop signs which extend as students get on and off the bus and supported state efforts to make it illegal to pass a stopped bus when that stop sign is extended.  Launching the Student Guardian program is the next phase in this important initiative.

Sheriff McBrayer added; “In the future, if the safety of our school children is not enough reason for inconsiderate motorists to wait, hopefully the probability of a ticket and fine will be.” 

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