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Georgia Lawmakers Strengthen School Bus Safety Laws

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Illustration of a school bus with flashing lights, surrounded by vehicles stopping.

News Summary

Georgia lawmakers have introduced House Bill 344 to enhance penalties for drivers illegally passing stopped school buses. The new legislation increases fines to $300 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for repeat violations. This move follows tragic incidents, including the unfortunate case of an 8-year-old girl struck while boarding a bus, prompting the introduction of Addy’s Law. As safety concerns grow, the state also urges school districts to modify bus routes and utilizes technology to enforce these laws, aiming to keep children safer as they travel to and from school.

Georgia Lawmakers Make Big Moves to Protect Schoolchildren

In an important step towards keeping our young ones safe, Georgia lawmakers have filed House Bill 344, aimed at increasing the fines for those caught illegally passing stopped school buses. This legislation is not just a simple tweak but introduces a whole new set of monetary penalties for drivers who dare to overtake or meet a bus that’s got its flashing lights on.

What’s the New Fine Structure?

The penalties laid out in the bill are pretty straightforward. If someone is caught on video by those ever-watchful bus cameras, the fines will escalate with each offense:

  • $300 for a first-time violation.
  • $500 for a second violation.
  • $1,000 for each violation thereafter.

It’s meant to serve as a serious deterrent for drivers who might be tempted to ignore those school bus signs for the sake of a little convenience.

What Inspired This Legislation?

Many are aware that last February, a tragic event involving an 8-year-old girl named Adalynn Pierce prompted the introduction of Addy’s Law. This heartbreaking incident, where Adalynn was struck by a vehicle while trying to board her school bus, fueled the state’s desire to address road safety for children more vigorously. Addy’s Law already imposes one of the highest minimum fines for passing a stopped school bus in the country, establishing a minimum fine of $1,000 along with potential jail time.

How Do the Rules Work?

The Georgia Department of Education is clear: all drivers must halt whenever a school bus is stopped with its flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. Some quick reminders on when to stop include:

  • On a two-lane road.
  • On a multi-lane paved road.
  • On a divided highway (drivers going in the opposite direction are permitted to proceed with caution).

This ensures that children have a safe space to board and exit the bus without fear of oncoming traffic.

It’s a Growing Concern

The statistics paint a worrying picture. During a single day last spring, approximately 9,189 motorists were caught illegally passing stopped school buses in Georgia. This is why lawmakers are pushing to enhance the punishments; there is a genuine concern for child safety. While Georgia’s fines match quite a few other states, with Utah also jumping to $1,000, most states settle for much lower penalties, typically ranging from $250 to $500. Wisconsin even claims the title for the lowest fine at just $30.

Adjustments for Safety

Within the context of Addy’s Law, public school districts in Georgia are also being urged to reconsider their bus routes. The goal is to avoid crossings at roads with speed limits over 40 mph. Reports indicate that some school districts, like Lee County Schools, have already modified 17 out of 64 bus routes to enhance safety.

Enforcement through Technology

In a bid to crack down on these violations, a program run by Verra Mobility in Georgia employs cameras to capture instances when drivers illegally pass stopped buses. In the 2023-2024 school year, this program issued over 98,000 citations for such infractions. The program works, with evidence suggesting a 52% decline in violations from the start to the end of the school year. Notably, Atlanta Public Schools saw a massive 64% reduction in citations.

Looking Ahead

These new initiatives and stricter laws can only be good news as schools prepare for another academic year. The more stringent punishments and active monitoring are aimed at ensuring that our most vulnerable road users—our children—can safely get on and off their buses. With statistics showing that 98% of individuals caught violating these laws do not repeat their offenses, it seems that these efforts are heading in the right direction. Georgia’s lawmakers are certainly pushing for a safer future for our kids!

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