PEACH COUNTY, Ga. — Carrying nearly 2,000 of our future professionals in Peach County, each day, school buses should dominate the flow of traffic. However, Peach County Technology Director Jacob Gresham says they are often overlooked.
"We have on almost a daily basis instances where people do blow by the stop arms, and do blow by the buses," Gresham said.
This week Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 409. Now in Georgia, failure to hit the brakes for a stopped bus could cost you at least $1,000, and it could put you in jail for up to a year.
"Our goal is not to fine people, but I do think the increased focus on that safety will help," Gresham said.
He says the main priority is safety. The law also pushes back on school districts, asking them to create routes that students don't have to cross roadways with a speed limit of 40 miles an hour or more.
"Being that the county is divided by 49, we do have routes where people live on four-lane highways," Gresham said.
Gresham says they already have that covered, on busy roads they keep kids safe by stopping their buses in front of each home. Those kids never have to cross the street.
"I would definitely reconsider letting them ride the bus, if they didn't get on right in front of the house," Sandy Alcorn said.
Sandy Alcorn is a Houston County mother with three kids who ride the bus.
"Not necessarily on our street but on busier roads or four lane roads. I think people are maybe unsure about what the rules are on a four-lane, like if you have to stop when the bus is going the other direction," Alcorn said.
On a four-lane with no median you must stop, however, it's best to do that in any case.
"Keep your eyes open and watch for the sign, the stop arm, and the flashing lights," Gresham said.
Peach County is currently hiring bus drivers, and in Houston County this Saturday there is a job fair, and they're looking for bus drivers too.