It’s back to school for Chattooga County School students today and that means motorists will need to start using extra caution on area roads, especially in school zones. 

AAA Auto Club says that there is good reasoning behind reduced speeds in school zone areas.  Garrett Townsend with Georgia AAA says, “Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster. A difference between 25 mph and 35 mph can save a life.”

Local law enforcement and the Georgia State Patrol say that they will be monitoring school zones to make sure drivers slow down as school starts back.

Also, be sure to watch for children standing at the bus stop in the early morning hours when visibility can be greatly reduced.  Remember, yellow flashing lights indicate that a bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children and red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

Remembering school zones and school bus safety can help prevent injury and death and by all of us being mindful, we can make sure all of the kids in Chattooga County have a safe school year.