Proposed school bus law aims to amend stopping rule

ATLANTA — A new bill has landed on Gov. Nathan Deal’s desk and is proposing to change the current law for oncoming vehicles on the opposite side of the road having to stop for a school bus.

State law requires motorists traveling in both directions to stop for school buses that are loading and unloading (lights flashing and stop arm extended), unless the road is divided by a median. If there is a median, the vehicles traveling in the opposite direction of the bus aren’t required to stop.

Drivers who violate this law will be fined $300 for the first offense. Motorists accumulate six points on their driving record for each violation, according to Georgia Department of Public Safety.

But if Georgia House Bill 978 becomes a law, drivers in the opposite lanes of the school bus separated by a center turn lane could keep moving.

Gov. Deal has until Tuesday to sign or veto the bill.