January 4, 2021–8:17 p.m.

CALHOUN POLICE

As schools reopen across Calhoun and Gordon County this week, with many students returning to class Wednesday, motorists face additional traffic Issues. Not only do they need to  brace themselves for back to school traffic but they also need to be mindful of speed limits in school zones and other safety laws, including not passing  stopped school buses.

“We would like to offer the following safety tips for motorists”.   Chief Tony Pyle

If you are driving behind a school bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped with its lights flashing and stop sign out.

Never pass a school bus from behind-or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road and the bus has stopped.

If the red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, Traffic Must Stop (Yellow caution lights flashing on a school bus are like the ones at an intersection, meaning, if you can stop, then you should.)

The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children, stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.

An as always, obey the posted speed limit and refrain from distracted driving.

Be alert, children are often unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks.