School Bus Safety

School Bus Safety Program in Burke County Public Schools

Keep Kids Safe: It's the Law in Georgia State  

In 2023, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) released data from their annual national survey indicating that more than 43.5 million stop-arm violations occur annually in the United States.  The BCPS School Bus Safety Program aims to reduce the illegal passing of school buses and improve student safety.   To speak to a representative about a safety violation, contact the AlertBus Customer Contact Center at 1-877-504-7080.  

Addy’s Law: Increased Fine for Violating School Bus Safety Laws Starting July 1, 2024

Addy's Law, named in memory of 8-year-old Adalynn Peirce, introduces significant measures to enhance school bus safety in Georgia. This legislation, signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp in April 2024, mandates that school districts reassess bus routes where students must cross roadways with speed limits of 40 miles per hour or higher.

The law was prompted by a tragic incident in which Adalynn Peirce was fatally struck by a driver who illegally passed her school bus while she was boarding.

The new law addresses route safety and toughens penalties for such violations. Specifically, it increases the minimum fine for illegally passing a stopped school bus to $1,000.

• Two-lane roadway: When school bus stops for passengers, ALL traffic from both directions must stop.
• Two-lane roadway with a center turning lane: When school bus stops for passengers, ALL traffic from both directions must stop.
• Four-lane roadway without a median separation: When school bus stops for passengers, ALL traffic from both directions must stop.
• Roadway of four lanes or more with a center turning lane: When a school bus stops for passengers, ALL traffic from both directions must stop.
• Divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation: When a school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.