Rabun County heads back to school, remember to slow for buses

Hundreds of students marched outside at dawn and awaited the return of school buses all across Rabun County this morning.

Districts who started school Wednesday, August 8 include Calhoun, Gainesville City Schools, Rabun, Pike and Douglas counties.

Local public safety officials want to remind you, especially now that school is back in session, “to watch for young children waiting at bus stops and remember to slow down!”

School days bring congestion: Yellow school buses are picking up their charges, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to school before the bell rings, all while rushed parents are trying to drop their kids off before work.

It’s never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present – especially before and after school.

According to research by the National Safety Council, if you’re driving behind a 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 to load or unload children.

“By exercising a little extra care and caution,” officials said. “Drivers and pedestrians can co-exist safely in school zones.”