Photos lead to firing of school bus driver

Another metro Atlanta school bus driver has gotten into trouble for texting and driving while transporting students, Channel 2 Action News reported. The Gwinnett County school district confirmed it has fired a driver after pho- tos reportedly show her texting with children on board. “Based upon our investigation and the evidence provided to us, and our interviews with the driver, it was determined she was in violation policies with our and she was terminated,” spokesman Bernard Watson said. The firing comes less than three weeks after a DeKalb County school bus driver was criticized by school officials after Channel 2 aired video of her appearing to text and drive with a student on board. The news station reported that driver was also fired. The DeKalb County School District released a statement to Channel 2, which read in part: “This behavior is completely unacceptable. Not only is it illegal, it is not safe for other drivers, and it is a danger to the district’s staff and students. The safety of our students and staff is paramount to the DeKalb County School District.” Texting while driving has been illegal since July 2010 in Georgia, and the state’s hand-free law goes into affect July 1, which makes even holding a phone while driving illegal. In the Gwinnett case, photos reportedly taken March 29 of the driver, a five-year veteran, on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard and provided to Channel 2 were crucial. Ivonne Hernandez, who has three children who ride the Gwinnett bus every day, said the driver should have followed the rules. “As soon as (kids) start screaming or talking, I’m like, oh, phone away,” she said, “because you never know what to expect from kids. “You never know, accidents can happen anytime.”