Back To School: Navigating New School Bus Traffic Laws

School has been back in session for a few months now. Though when it comes to navigating Georgia’s new school bus safety laws, a lot of people are left in the dark and confused over exactly what you can, can’t, and could never do when the buses have their “stop” sign out and those red lights flashing.

Sounds an awful lot like the new cell phone law, doesn’t it?

On July 1, 2018, changes to the law which governs when drivers can pass school buses took effect. In the past, when a school bus was stopped on a multi-lane highway divided by a turn lane, drivers traveling the opposite direction also had to stop. Now, drivers do not have to stop when traveling the opposite direction of a school bus stopped on a highway divided by a turn lane.

When in doubt, and not on a 2 lane road, always exercise caution.

This visual guide is provided by the Gainesville Police Department and illustrates the changes. Drivers still must stop when traveling in the opposite direction of a school bus that is stopped on a two-lane road.

You can always reach out to your local Police Department on Facebook, telephone, or through their website for clarification on new law changes.