The Russell County Board of Education approved the purchase of 3 new buses at its meeting last night.
Russell County Schools Superintendent Michael Ford told WJRS News the buses will be air-conditioned and have stop-arm cameras.
The stop-arm cameras allow bus drivers to take a photo when a vehicle illegally passes a bus with the stop-arms out.
Ford said drivers ignoring the stop signs on buses is a dangerous issue for students and continues to happen frequently.
Drivers are reminded that any time a bus has its stop-arm out, it is illegal to pass that bus unless on a divided highway. However, the only divided highway in the county is the Cumberland Parkway, and there are no bus stops along the parkway.
Individuals found to be guilty of illegally passing a bus are subject to fines and even jail time, according to state law.
