CCSD: Drive Safely Around Buses, Bus Stops, Schools

The Cherokee County School District is reminding drivers to exercise caution and remember the rules of the road as the school year starts Aug.1.

CCSD is asking drivers to remember the following rules when encountering school buses, bus stops and school zones:

- If you see a school bus with yellow flashing lights on, that means it’s slowing down and so should you.

- If you see a school bus with red flashing lights, it has stopped and so must you.

- Wait until school bus red lights have stopped flashing and all children and other pedestrians are out of the roadway before you resume driving.

- Do not pass a stopped school bus. You must stop whether you are behind the bus or on the opposite side of the road. The only exception is if you are on the opposite side of a divided highway (divided by at least five feet of unpaved space and/or a raised barrier), then you may continue driving, but proceeding with caution. Addy’s Law, which went into effect this year, imposes an increased fine of at least $1,000 for first-time violators and potential prison time of as much as a year.

- Slow down as you pass a bus stop where children are waiting. Children might dart into traffic when they see the approaching bus, and drivers are responsible for being aware and yielding to anyone crossing the street.

- Slow down as you approach schools and follow the posted school zone speed limits.

Traffic will be heavy around all schools for the first several days of school as higher numbers of parents initially drop their children off at school before beginning to use CCSD buses. A map of CCSD school sites and the start and end times are available online at www.cherokeek12.net/schools .

Local law enforcement agencies will have an extra presence around all CCSD schools during the first days to support CCSD Police Department officers and Cherokee Sheriff’s Office crossing guards.