The Peachtree City Police Department would like to remind all residents that Fayette County Schools start back August 12.
All drivers should be especially cautious of the increased presence of school related vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Please be cognizant of the school zone speed limits and corresponding times along your driving route. School buses will be prevalent on the roadways again and it is important to remember that all drivers are required to stop for the stop arm of the school bus.
Many buses do have cameras and you may end up with a visit from a police officer if your vehicle is observed passing a stopped school bus that is displaying the visual stop signals or, much worse, you could cause a collision with a loading or unloading child if you try to go around a stopped school bus.
Please be patient and obey all traffic laws so that our children can have safe passage to and from school.
Below are some helpful reminders for drivers, parents, and children regarding getting to school safely:
Drivers
• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones.
• Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians, curbs and cart paths.
• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
• Watch for children on and near the road in the morning and after school hours.
• Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. Put down your phone and don’t talk or text while driving.
Reminder for your kids
• Cross the street with an adult until they are at least 10 years old.
• Cross the street at crosswalks whenever possible.
• Never run out into the streets or cross in between parked cars.
Bus Safety
• Make sure they always walk in front of the bus where the driver can see them.
• While waiting for the bus, take five giant steps back from the curb until the bus has stopped completely.
• If you drop something near the bus, tell the bus driver. If you bend over to pick it up, the bus driver may not be able to see you.
• Keep head, arms and hands inside the bus. Never throw anything out of the bus window.
Riding a bike to school
• If you are old enough to ride alone, plan a safe route to school and have a grown-up ride with you the first few times. Take the shortest route with the fewest roadway crossings.
• Be sure that your helmet fits. It should sit evenly on top of the head –not rocking in any direction–and always fasten the safety strap.
• Learn the proper hand signals and use them when you turn or stop.
• Walk, do not ride, your bike across the street.
• Come to a complete stop before entering driveways, paths or sidewalks, then look left, right and left again for bikes, cars or pedestrians heading your way.
• Do not ride at night.
If you observe unsafe driving actions that need to be immediately reported for the safety of the motoring public, call 911 or the non emergency dispatch number for all of Fayette County at 770-461-4357(HELP). If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact any member of the Community Response Team at 770-487-8866 or at traffic@peachtree-city.org. Any additional traffic concerns or resources can be found at www.peachtree-city.org/traffic.
If anyone has information that would assist the Police Department in this or any other incidents, please contact us at 770-487-8866, or to submit an anonymous tip by:
• Using the easy web form by clicking here.
• Using your cellular phone text “PTCTIPS plus your tip” to 274637 (CRIMES)”
• Like us on Facebook and Twitter and submit a tip through the Facebook App.
