Cherokee County equips all school buses with cameras, drivers to be fined $1,000 for passing stopped bus

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. — The Cherokee County School District is rolling out new safety measures on its buses, installing stop-arm cameras designed to catch drivers who illegally pass while students are loading and unloading.

District officials said the move is aimed at protecting both students and bus drivers across a system that transports thousands of children each day.

The district’s fleet, operated by about 450 bus drivers, travels roughly 27,500 miles daily to carry students to and from school throughout the county. Officials noted that drivers exceed state training requirements, while the transportation maintenance team holds the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence Blue Seal of Excellence — credentials the district says reflect its commitment to safety.

Beginning this month, all school buses in the district will be equipped with stop-arm cameras. The cameras are designed to record vehicles that pass buses while their stop arms are extended and students are entering or exiting.

Officials say illegal passing remains a persistent safety concern and that the cameras will help enforce existing laws and deter dangerous behavior.

The district will start with a 30-day warning period beginning March 30. During that time, drivers who are caught illegally passing a stopped school bus will receive a warning notice by mail but will not face a financial penalty.

Starting May 4, enforcement will increase. Drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus will be issued a $1,000 citation, which will be mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner.

District officials explained that the goal of the program is not just enforcement, but education, reminding drivers to stop when a school bus has its stop arm extended and to prioritize student safety on the road.