Motorists Reminded to Use Extra Caution on First Day of School

Toccoa Police Chief Jimmy Mize is reminding motorists to use extra care today as students and school buses will out in force throughout Toccoa-Stephens County.

“We urge everybody to slow down. Most everyone here in Toccoa-Stephens County know school is starting back, and knows that the buses will be running. So we’re urging everybody to slow down and take a little extra time to get to work and be patient with traffic at school zones,” he said.

Mize noted some parents have to take children to several different schools.

After two months of summer vacation, motorists will have to again get used to the back-to-school routine.  Mize says because of that, you will see extra patrols on Toccoa streets today.

“We’re actually going to have extra patrols in the school zones for the first couple of days of school just to make sure that people are watching their speed and watching for school buses,” he said. “It’s just a matter of everyond getting back into the routine of having school.”

The Chief said it’s also important to be aware of children waiting for school buses in the early morning hours and walking along roads and streets.

As for the laws regarding school buses on the roads, Mize reminds motorists that the 10 feet in front, behind, and on each side of a school bus that has stopped constitutes a danger zone.

“Once the school bus has initiated their flashing lights, you may not go around that bus until the lights are not flashing,” Mize said.

Mize said that includes traffic coming from the opposite direction.  Those motorists must brake and watch for students crossing the road to their homes.

If a school bus driver reports that you have passed a bus improperly, you will be fined $300 for a first offense, $750 for a second offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense during a five-year period.

Mize said if fined, you will receive a citation indicating the fine amount by mail within 10 days of the offense.  The citation will indicate the time, date and location of the violation.

And worse, you will also rack up six points on your driving record for each violation.