With a new law in effect regarding school buses and other vehicles, namely those that pass a bus stopped for loading and unloading, and as a new school year begins in Georgia we wanted to know what it’s like out there. So, we put some questions to a veteran driver for the Hall County School District.
Don Sims, whose route is on the west side of Gainesville, is beginning his fifth year behind the wheel for the county.
Here’s our Q&A:
*Based on what you’ve heard from fellow drivers and your own experience, how serious a problem does it appear passing a stopped bus is in the county?
The main roads are worse than side streets as a general rule. We are taught to be aware of vehicles in both directions when coming to a stop. We are to make sure cars stop before we let kids off.
*Any idea how many times this has happened to you?
I am lucky having small-width side roads, but I still have had about five instances over four years where vehicles have passed my stopped bus.
*What, if anything, are you instructed to do if it happens?
We try to get the tag number and description the vehicle. If we know another bus is in the direction vehicle is going, we will radio them to help get the tag number. Then we write it up, turn it in and the bus shop handles it from there.
*Do you have to keep a log of such occurrences and turn it in?
We do not keep a log, but every year we have one day where the state has each bus “track” how many happened on that day, and we all turn in a count if we have any that day. We have cameras for accidents on each bus and they are used to try to get the information on the vehicle.
*Are there other instances of “driver misbehavior” that you’ve run into such flashing lights, blowing horns, etc. if they seem to, maybe, think a stop is taking too long?
We sometimes get a horn blowing but running our stop signs and vehicles tailgating and cutting in front of us too close are main issues for me.
*Does your route cover mostly side streets/roads or major thoroughfares or is it pretty much even mix?
Yes, I am on side streets for stops but main roads getting to and from schools.
*What are some of the streets you cover?
I am in the Skelton Road/Spring Road area and the side roads there and also Sportsman Road.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The new law that went into effect July 1 raises the fine for passing a bus that has stopped to load or unload students to $1,000.)