A Georgia lawmaker is facing widespread criticism over a Facebook post explaining why he wants to lower the fine for passing a stopped school bus. The online backlash was swift, with many people expressing anger over the suggestion, especially those who believe such a move could endanger the safety of children.
The lawmaker’s comments come in the context of House Bill 344, which seeks to reduce the fine for a first offence from $1,000 to just $300, a proposal that has left many, particularly the family of a child who died in a similar incident, feeling upset and betrayed.
The current law, known as Addy’s Law, was enacted after the tragic death of Adalyn Pierce, who was struck and killed by a driver who passed a stopped school bus. Under Addy’s Law, penalties for passing a school bus with its stop sign extended are severe.
The law mandates a $1,000 fine for a first offence, a fine that has been widely seen as an important deterrent to protect children. However, Rep. Parsons, the sponsor of House Bill 344, believes the fine is too high and burdensome for families, especially those who may face financial hardship. He argued that a reduction to $300 would be more reasonable.
Rep. Parsons’ comments, made through a Facebook post explaining his rationale, quickly sparked outrage, particularly from the Pierce family. Ashley Pierce, the mother of Adalyn, has been vocal in her opposition to the bill.
Her daughter’s death spurred her to become a passionate advocate for school bus safety, and she helped pass Addy’s Law to ensure that no other child would have to suffer the same fate. For her, the idea of reducing the fine for passing a stopped school bus is not just a matter of policy—it is a matter of life and death. She stated that losing a child is the heaviest burden a family can bear, and she believes lowering the fine sends the wrong message to the public.
Ashley’s frustration with Rep. Parsons’ proposal is shared by many others. In just 24 hours after his Facebook post, the post received hundreds of angry reactions. According to Ashley, there were at least 96 angry emojis and dozens of negative comments from people who felt that reducing the fine would put children’s safety at risk.
One comment expressed disgust with the lawmaker’s stance, saying, “Honestly, this post makes me sick to my stomach.” Another commenter wrote, “Shame on you,” while yet another stated, “You are talking about a thousand dollars versus a child’s life.”
Ashley was deeply disturbed by the overwhelming response, not because it was negative but because it demonstrated just how strongly the public felt about the issue. She pointed out that Rep. Parsons had posted the message in search of support, but instead, he found an outpouring of opposition. “It says a lot about how people feel about what he’s doing,” she said. “He made that post to actually find supporters and look for supporters, but instead, he found nothing but anger and disappointment.”
Ashley’s father, Russ Dingess, also voiced his displeasure with Rep. Parsons and his colleagues who co-sponsored the bill. He pointed out that many of the bill’s sponsors, who had previously supported Addy’s Law, were now refusing to respond to calls or emails about the issue.
This lack of communication further fueled the Pierce family’s frustration, as they felt that their concerns were being ignored. “His own sponsors for the bill won’t answer emails,” Dingess said. “They’re not responding to phone calls.”
Despite the criticism, Rep. Parsons has yet to respond to the public backlash. Channel 2 Action News reached out to him for comment but had not received a response at the time of the report. This lack of communication has added to the frustration of the Pierce family, who feel that their voices are not being heard by the lawmakers who are supposed to represent their interests.
For Ashley Pierce, the issue isn’t just about a fine—it’s about sending a message to the public that the safety of children is a priority. “They should be higher,” she said of the fine for passing a stopped school bus. “The fine needs to be higher to really send a clear message that this is a serious offense.” She believes that a reduction in the fine would undermine the seriousness of the law and could lead to more drivers ignoring the safety of children waiting to board or disembark from school buses.
The controversy surrounding House Bill 344 has sparked a larger debate about the balance between enforcing safety and imposing financial penalties. Rep. Parsons argues that the $1,000 fine is too high and could be an undue burden on families, especially in a state where many people are still recovering from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. His bill seeks to reduce the fine to $300 for a first offence, a move he believes would make the law more reasonable without compromising safety.
However, many people disagree, pointing out that a high fine is necessary to ensure that drivers take the law seriously. For them, the fine is not just a financial penalty; it is a deterrent that could save lives. By reducing the fine, they worry that the law will become less effective and that drivers may be more likely to ignore the dangers of passing a stopped school bus.
Rep. Parsons’ bill was scheduled to be heard during a legislative hearing on Tuesday, but it was suddenly removed from the agenda. It’s unclear why the bill was taken off the table, but the controversy surrounding it has only intensified in the days since. As the public debate continues, one thing is clear: the issue of school bus safety is an emotional one, and many people feel strongly that the current penalties are necessary to protect children.
Ashley Pierce and her supporters have made it clear that they are not backing down in their fight for stronger school bus safety laws. They believe that the fines should be higher, not lower, and they are calling on lawmakers to listen to the public and put the safety of children first. Until then, the Pierce family’s fight for justice—and the memory of Adalyn—will continue.
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