Every school year starts with close to 500,000 school buses on the road to transport about 26 million kids to school. In 1939, a national bus safety conference was held and ultimately produced 44 standards for school buses—making yellow the universal color for school buses, which also resulted in many of us nicknaming our school bus the “big cheese.”

Do you know the current law when stopping for school buses?

Under O.C.G.A. 40-6-163, the following stopped bus rules apply:

• Two Lane Roadway – when the school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.

• Four Lane Roadway without a median separation – when the school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.

• Divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation – when the school bus stops for passengers, ONLY the traffic following the bus must stop.

• Two Lane Roadway with a center turning lane – when the school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.

• Roadway of four lanes or more with a center turning lane – when the school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.

Being convicted of unlawfully passing the big cheese, can comprise of up to 12 months in jail or on probation, community service, up to $1000 in fines, defensive driving school, etc.

Can you believe that school buses are safer than cars?

Students are 70 times more likely to arrive safely to school by taking the bus than traveling by car.

Did you know that buses actually decrease traffic?

It may not seem like it but imagine what traffic would be like without the big cheese. The typical school bus transports about 54 students, which decreases our morning traffic by 20-30%.

Can you believe that allowing your child to ride can actually save you money?

Parents that drive their kids to school use about 180 more gallons of fuel per year; spend about $660 more at the pump; and adds about 3,600 more miles on their vehicle.

So when you're in a hurry to get to work and your blood pressure is rising because you have to stop for the big cheese, just remember how great of a benefit it is to our community.

If you or someone you know has suffered serious injuries due to an unlawful passing of a school bus, Barker Law Group, LLC., your family's trusted injury counsel will be more than happy to assist.

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