Georgia One of the Worst States for School Bus Accidents
Many parents put their children on school buses every day to send them to school. This is the safest type of highway transportation. Every school day, roughly 23.5 million children across the country ride a school bus. But Georgia is one of the top states in the U.S. for fatalities in school bus crashes, according to recent research. From 2013 to 2022, there have been 976 fatal school bus crashes in the country, with 60 of them happening in Georgia. These bus accidents resulted in 65 fatalities in Georgia alone.
Here is some important facts about school bus safety.
Are Seat Belts Required on Georgia School Buses?
No. There are only eight states that require seatbelts on school buses, but Georgia isn’t one of them. School buses are exempt from using Child Safety Restraint Systems (CSRS) in Georgia. One reason for this is the fact that not all CSRS will fit in school buses because of the narrow spacing between seats. But this “compartmentalization” provides a safety zone. It has strong, closely-spaced seats, and energy-absorbing seat backs and padding to protect children if there’s a crash.
And because buses are larger, stronger, and heavier than most other vehicles, they’re also safer than most other vehicles.
Also, booster seats aren’t allowed on school buses.
What are Some Tips for Sharing the Road with School Buses?
Motorists driving in residential neighborhoods and school zones (that are marked with road signs) must watch for children, either as pedestrians or as riders entering and exiting school buses. Children move quickly and are frequently unpredictable in their actions. It’s the driver’s responsibility to watch for them and react appropriately to what they may do. Here are some important tips to remember:
- Drive slowly and watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.
- Be on the lookout for children playing and congregating near school bus stops.
- Watch for kids arriving late for the bus who may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
- Be cautious when traveling behind or alongside school buses in residential areas or school zones where buses are likely to be loading or unloading.
- Understand the flashing light system that school bus drivers use to alert motorist about stopping. Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop and load or unload children. Red flashing lights and extended stop arm mean the bus is stopped, and children are boarding or exiting the bus.
- Motorists must come to a complete stop a safe distance from the bus and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the arm is retracted, and the bus begins moving before they start moving again.
Make Sure You Obey Georgia School Bus Laws
A conviction of failure to stop for a school bus adds six points to a driver’s Georgia motor vehicle record. The Georgia Department of Driver Services is authorized to suspend a license if a driver has accumulated15 points within 24 months, including violations committed out of state.
It’s important for people to understand how dangerous it can be at bus stops. That’s why Georgia motorists have a responsibility to make sure children can leave those bus stops safely.
Georgia law says that vehicles traveling in both directions must stop when a school bus is stopped on a road with its lights on and sign extended. This law applies to two-lane roads, four-lane roads, and roads with a turning lane. The only time you aren’t required to stop is if there is a median in the road, separating your vehicle and the bus. This type of road is usually divided by a grassy area, pavement, or a concrete wall.
Remember that it’s illegal to pass a school bus that’s stopped to load or unload passengers. School buses have flashing signal lights, warning arms, and other safety devices to alert motorists. The yellow flashing lights mean the bus is about to stop to load or unload children. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms mean the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off.
Motorists are required to stop their vehicles and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop arm is retracted, and the bus begins moving before they can start moving again.
Speak to an Experienced Atlanta Accident Attorney
It is important that we all slow down and are mindful when children and school buses are near—especially before and after school.
Questions about injuries in a serious school bus accident? Please contact any of our experienced personal injury lawyers for a free consultation. You can contact Tobin Injury Law at almost any hour of the day. Defense lawyers respond 24/7 to accidents, as do we. You can contact an Atlanta accident attorney anytime by calling 404-JUSTICE (404-587-8423) or using our online contact form. We offer free consultations, and we’ll be glad to answer your questions.