With kids in Atlanta headed back to school this month, it’s a good time to review school bus laws and safety issues related to sharing the road. You can expect that more kids will be traveling in your neighborhood and on roads on your commute as they board and exit school buses on their way to and from school.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- You must come to a complete stop when the bus’s red lights are flashing or when the STOP arm is extended. This applies to you if you are following the bus of course, but also if you are traveling in the opposite direction on a two-lane or multi-lane road, even if there are turn lanes separating you. The only time you should not stop is when there is a physical median separating you from the bus that is traveling in the other direction. A physical median would be grass, dirt, or a physical barrier.
- Don’t start moving until the lights are off and the arm withdrawn. Even then, proceed slowly because there are probably children around.
- Stay alert. In your neighborhood, near schools, anywhere children and parents may be present – be aware of your surroundings. Children don’t always remember the rules. They may dart into the roadway or cross when they shouldn’t, so you must keep your eyes on the road and scan your surroundings.
These measures can go a long way in preventing tragic pedestrian accidents. Unfortunately, children do get injured in accidents in school bus zones. Oftentimes the accident is caused by a distracted driver who is not looking at the road when a child is crossing. Distractions like texting, phone use, daydreaming, and using screens must be avoided. Attentive driving makes a huge difference to the safety of our city and our city’s students.
If you or a loved one has been injured in Atlanta or the surrounding areas, experienced injury lawyer Laurie Robbins offers a free consultation so you can find out what your options are for pursuing injury compensation. Please call the law firm at 404-252-8117.