Tuesday, July 16, 2024–8:30 a.m.

-Rachel Hartdegen, Rome News-Tribune-

This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com

As the summer break comes to a close, the Floyd County Board of Education learned about a new state law that provides more regulation for bus stops to better protect school children.

Addy’s Law, passed as House Bill 409, is an amendment to state law. The amendment requires public school systems to plan bus routes that avoid students crossing highways with a speed limit of 40 miles per hour or more.

Floyd County police officer Chad Matthews told the school board Monday that the new law increases the penalties for drivers who unlawfully pass a stopped school bus.

“It’s a serious problem statewide and nationwide,” Matthews said. “Even as a police officer out there on the road every day, I never knew how severe this problem was in our community.”

The previous law stated that drivers who overtake a stopped bus are charged with a misdemeanor and fined $250. The new law upgrades the violation to an aggravated misdemeanor criminal offense that carries a fine of $1,000 or 12 months in jail. In some cases the driver can receive both penalties.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed the bill into law in April and the law became active on July 1. The bill was passed by the state legislature after an 8-year-old Henry County student, Adalynn Pierce, was struck by a vehicle and killed while boarding the school bus. Following her death, the Pierce family created a petition and worked through the legal system to create a law to give additional protections for students when boarding and leaving the school bus.

Matthews said that most drivers know to stop when the bus’s stop sign goes up, but some are either distracted or in a hurry. He shared that since the latter part of 2022, he has personally issued 91 citations to drivers for not stopping for a bus.

He said that he follows buses doing drop-offs in the more dangerous areas in his patrol car to catch violators and ensure the kids’ safety. The police officer’s wife has been a bus driver for Floyd County Schools for around four years, and Matthews is a substitute bus driver who drives the bus on his off days.

“I started concentrating on this; I took a personal interest in it,” Matthews said. “It’s become a personal passion of mine to stop these violators.”

In Monday’s meeting, board member Chip Hood mentioned that not everyone knows the rules for when to stop for a bus. He and board chair Melinda Strickland said the school system needs to inform parents of this change and the rules for bus stops.

Georgia law states that the only time drivers aren’t required to stop for a bus is when a median separates the driver’s lane from the bus’s lane.

“I’m hoping with these new stringent penalties and fines, the word’s gonna get out,” Matthews said. “Hopefully, over time, it will make a difference and ultimately secure the safety of our children.”

In accordance with the new law, the school system is working on changing bus routes to ensure students don’t have to cross highways to get on and off of buses. Matthews said that, leaving the Monday morning meeting, he saw county employees starting to drive the bus routes to plan the changes.

Matthews was also named Focus and Connect Employee of the Month for Floyd County Schools at the Monday meeting. Superintendent Glenn White presented the award to Matthews for his work as a bus driver and in appreciation of his work as a police officer.

“It was a big surprise,” Matthews said. “For the board of education to recognize me means a lot.”