HALL COUNTY, Georgia. – A Hall County school bus was involved in an accident on a country road late Friday afternoon.
Barrett Road was closed near Dorsey Peek Road around 4:45 p.m. as emergency crews arrived at the scene of the accident. The accident scene is less than a mile southeast of Athens Highway.
According to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, several students who were on the school bus at the time sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Officials said the bus collided with another vehicle, but details were not released.
The Georgia State Patrol is investigating.
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FOX 5 is working to gather more details.
School bus laws in Georgia
This is the second accident in north Georgia in the last 24 hours involving a school bus and another vehicle. Most schools in Georgia have started again and authorities continue to warn and inform drivers.
School buses are equipped with flashing lights and stop sign arms to alert drivers to their behavior. When a bus activates its yellow flashing lights, it indicates that the bus is stopping. Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign arm mean that the bus has stopped to pick up or drop off children. In most states, vehicles traveling in either direction must come to a complete stop until the lights are turned off and the bus resumes moving.
Drivers should always maintain a safe distance from school buses. This includes stopping at least 20 feet from a bus when it is flashing its red lights. Maintaining a safe distance will ensure that children have enough room to board or exit the bus safely.
School zones are busy in the morning and afternoon. Drivers should obey reduced speed limits and be prepared for increased pedestrian traffic. It is important to avoid distractions such as using a cell phone and to remain alert when driving through these areas.
Traffic delays can be frustrating, especially during peak school hours. However, it is important to exercise patience and understand that school buses transport the children of the community. Plan extra travel time to compensate for possible delays caused by school bus stops.
A new law named after Addy, which state lawmakers passed after her death, increases penalties for drivers who illegally pass school buses, with those found guilty facing a $1,000 fine and up to a year in prison.
Addy was struck and killed while boarding a school bus in Henry County in February.
Officials said the school bus was nearly stopped, its stop sign displayed and its red flashing lights on, when a driver failed to stop and struck the child as he was crossing the street.
Investigators have not provided any information as to whether any of the above factors contributed to this crash.
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