COBB COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

PRESS RELEASE

 

     While law enforcement agencies have the responsibility to monitor school zone traffic and safety throughout the year, it seems to be more of an issue at the beginning of the school year.  During the summer, drivers may become complacent. When school starts often they may forget that it is against the law to pass a stopped school bus that has red flashing lights and an extended stop arm.  In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of school bus safety, on October 14th, Sheriff’s deputies monitored several bus routes known to have a high number of potential violators. 

 

  According to Sheriff Neil Warren, Sheri Lewis and Mandi Call of “Operation Stop Arm” have met with him and the Police Chiefs about their goals and he is glad to support their efforts.   “Operation Stop Arm’s mission to educate drivers about the dangers of passing a school bus while children are boarding and exiting is critical to the safety of our children” stated Sheriff Warren.  “So often drivers may know the rules, but fail to consistently obey traffic laws.  It is our duty to raise the awareness of drivers that passing stopped school buses are a violation of the law and, if caught, they will be charged.” 

 

     As a focus of this initiative, Sheriff’s deputies targeted 46 bus routes that included bus stops in the Skyview Elementarily, Garrett Middle School and South Cobb High School district.  Five citations were written for violation of the requirement to stop for a school bus, including two drivers under the age of 21.  “It is my hope that random monitoring of bus stops throughout the county will help keep our children safe as they load and unload at their designated stops.”

 

 For more information regarding Operation Stop Arm, visit the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office website at www.cobbsheriff.org or go www.operationstoparm.info.

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RELEASE DATE:  October 14, 2010   For further information contact Nancy Bodiford at 770-499-4723

 

 



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