Habersham County public school students return to class Friday and that means more traffic, increased congestion and the need for extra safety precautions.
From school buses loading and unloading, to kids walking and biking, to parents dropping off and picking up their kids, the potential for accidents increases during the school year.
As back-to-school gets into full swing, The Georgia Department of Transportation and local public safety officials urge drivers to put safety first – especially in and around school zones.
Obey school zone and bus laws
According to the National Safety Council, most children who are killed in school bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, walking and are hit by a bus or motorist illegally passing a stopped school bus.
By law, you must stop and can not pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. If the school bus lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, opposing traffic must stop unless it is on a divided highway with a grass or concrete median. “It is six points on your license if you are caught passing a stopped school bus,” says Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell, “not to mention the young lives that are put in danger.”
Don’t follow school buses too closely!
“The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children,” says GDOT District Engineer Brent Cook. “Stop far enough back to give them space to safely enter and exit the bus.”
“Don’t worry about the Facebook post, tweet, snapchat, text, or trying to make a call. Pay attention to the road not the phone.” ~ HABCO Sheriff Joey Terrell
Other rules of the road to keep kids safe: Always pay attention to school zone flashing beacons and obey school zone speed limits.
Expect the unexpected
When you drive – be alert and expect the unexpected. Keep in mind the children’s excitement and the early hours. Watch for students gathering near bus stops and for kids who may dart out into the street. Also, watch out for those who are directing traffic.
Sheriff Terrell says officers will be out monitoring school zones but we must all do our part to keep our kids safe. “Don’t worry about the Facebook post, tweet, snapchat, text, or trying to make a call,” Terrell says. “Pay attention to the road, not the phone.”
(PHOTO/Cornelia Police Facebook page)
