MENU
SEARCHTennessee state troopers and local police will ride and follow Hamilton County school buses, including the route related to the Nov. 21 fatal crash.
Tennessee state troopers and local police will ride and follow Hamilton County school buses, including the route related to the Nov. 21 fatal crash. Photo via Wikimedia Commons
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — State troopers and local police will keep a close eye on school buses around Chattanooga for the rest of the school year, according to a plan revealed on Monday.
The development follows the Nov. 21 school bus crash in which six students from Woodmore Elementary School were killed and 31 were injured.
The Hamilton County Department of Education said in a press release on Monday that the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s new plan of action works cooperatively with other agencies “to ensure the safety of all Hamilton County school bus passengers.”
Law enforcement personnel will ride and follow Woodmore Elementary school bus routes. They will also randomly patrol other routes in Hamilton County for the remainder of the school year.
Highway Patrol troopers will initially concentrate on the Woodmore route, with Chattanooga Police Department officers and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies riding or following other Hamilton County school bus routes as schedules and manpower permit.
THP Chattanooga started following & riding School Buses 🚌today. Always stop for a school bus stop sign. pic.twitter.com/bkdYiJ2Duo
— THPChattanooga (@THPChattanooga) February 7, 2017
In March, April, and May, personnel from the three law enforcement agencies will continue to follow or ride Hamilton County school buses, including Woodmore Elementary routes.
Kirk Kelly, interim superintendent of the Hamilton County Department of Education, said in the district’s press release that he is grateful for the support.
“The safety and well-being of our students is always our number one priority,” Kelly said. “We are so appreciative our partners in law enforcement are just as committed to the safety of our students.”
According to the district, the action plan will be evaluated weekly by administration officials.
After being suspended over due process concerns, Miami-Dade schools and law enforcement are restarting the AI-powered stop-arm camera program with new oversight.
Read More →
From national bills on seat belts and driver oversight to driver awareness campaigns referencing “Finn’s Rule” and ongoing transportation funding debates in Alaska, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
A Williamsburg community is mourning after a child was fatally struck by a private yeshiva bus, prompting calls for urgent safety improvements at the high-traffic crossing.
Read More →
The new data shows 99.99% incident-free trips and strong on-time performance, reinforcing how dependable transportation, especially for vulnerable student populations, can help districts combat chronic absenteeism.
Read More →
Driver shortages, safety expectations, and staffing limits define student transportation in 2026. New survey data shows how fleet leaders are responding.
Read More →
The federal agency's report asks NHTSA to require all new school buses to be equipped with vehicle-integrated alcohol detection systems and passenger lap-shoulder belts.
Read More →
Student transportation teams are being asked to do more with less, facing driver shortages, rising costs, and increasing safety expectations. This report uncovers how fleets are adapting, where technology is making the biggest impact, and why student ridership tracking is emerging as a top priority. Download the report to explore the key trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for your operation.
Read More →
A Carroll County accident claimed the lives of two students and injured over a dozen others on a March 27 field trip for eighth graders at Clarksville-Montgomery County. A preliminary report adds new information to the story.
Read More →
From driver shortage solutions in Tennessee and rural connectivity debates in Utah to new safety laws in Wisconsin and ongoing electric bus mandate discussions in New York and Connecticut, here’s the latest in school bus legislation across the U.S.
Read More →
Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are under fire again after repeated school bus passing violations, raising questions about safety, remote operators, and regulation.
Read More →
