EDITORIAL: School bus traffic laws protect precious cargo

Published 6:16 pm Friday, July 26, 2024

School begins next week for students in the Baldwin County district and Georgia Military College Prep School. John Milledge Academy and other area schools will follow. That means that traffic will be busier during peak hours before school and as the school day ends. Additionally, AAA estimates that 1.7 million children will soon head back to school.

That means motorists need to slow down and stay alert in neighborhoods as students wait for buses and in school zones and near drop-off areas.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 64% of child pedestrians killed in traffic crashes occurred during the weekday (6 a.m. Monday to 6 p.m. Friday) in 2021.

Please adhere to the law regarding school buses. Motorists who speed through school zones and ignore school bus stop arms not only put children in danger, they’re also breaking the law. Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster. A difference between 25 mph and 35 mph can save a life.

–In Georgia, passing a school bus carries a minimum fine of $300 for a first offense, $750 for a second offense, and $1,000 for a third offense.

–When a bus stops on a two-lane roadway, a four-lane roadway, and roadways with a center turning lane, all traffic from both directions must stop. 

–On divided highways of four lanes or more with a median, only traffic following the bus is required to stop.

–Remember to slow down — decreasing your speed will reduce serious hazards and promote safety awareness.

–Don’t forget the speed cameras near schools — on Log Cabin near JMA, Elbert Street between Greene and Franklin streets near GMC, Blandy Road, Highway 49 near Baldwin High and Highway 441 near Midway Hills Academy. Obey the speed limit in school zones or pay the penalty. Those caught speeding 11 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit in school zones by the speed cameras will be subject to a $75 fine on a first offense. If a second offense is committed in one year, the fine is $125.

–Drivers should also be prepared to stop when approaching children waiting for a school bus, especially in early morning hours when visibility is reduced.

AAA offers the following additional tips to help keep precious cargo safe on the roads as the school year begins:

—Eliminate distractions. Children often cross the road unexpectedly and may emerge suddenly between two parked cars. Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing.

—Reverse responsibly. Every vehicle has blind spots. Check for children on the sidewalk, driveway, and around your vehicle before slowly backing up. Teach your children to never play in, under, or around vehicles—even those that are parked.

—Talk to your teen. Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death for teens in the United States, and more than one-quarter of fatal crashes involving teen drivers occur during the after-school hours of 3 to 7 p.m. 

—Come to a complete stop. Research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.

—Watch for bicycles. Children on bicycles are often inexperienced, unsteady, and unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between your vehicle and the bicycle. If your child rides a bicycle to school, require that they wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet on every ride.

Follow the laws for the safety of students and all drivers on the road. We all can play a part in reducing school-related traffic accidents and help keep this precious cargo safe.