2025 Georgia Codes – Page 312

(a) Prior to moving a school bus from a stop at which passengers have been loaded or unloaded, the driver of
the bus shall check all mirrors to ensure that it is safe to place the bus in motion.
(b) Prior to loading or unloading passengers from a school bus, the driver shall engage the parking brakes of
the bus and shall not release such brakes until each passenger boarding the bus is on board and until each
passenger disembarking from the bus is off the roadway and safely on the pedestrian areas of the roadway.
(c) Prior to loading or unloading passengers from a school bus, the driver shall display the stop arm on the
bus and shall not retract the stop arm until each passenger boarding the bus is on board and until each pas-
senger disembarking from the bus is off the roadway and safely on the pedestrian areas of the roadway.
(d) The driver of a school bus shall not use or operate a wireless telecommunications device, as such term is
defined in Code Section 40-6-241, or two-way radio while loading or unloading passengers.
(e) The driver of a school bus shall not use or operate a wireless telecommunications device, as such term is
defined in Code Section 40-6-241, while the bus is in motion, unless it is being used in a similar manner as a
two-way radio to allow live communication between the driver and school officials or public safety officials.
(f) The driver of a school bus shall instruct all passengers exiting the bus of the proper procedures of crossing
the roadway in front of the bus only.
(g) The driver of a school bus shall ensure that the red flasher lights on the bus remain illuminated and flash-
ing until all passengers have boarded or have exited the bus and have safely crossed the roadway and are
safely on the pedestrian areas of the roadway.
(h) The driver of a school bus shall extend the extension arm or gate on the front of the bus until all passen-
gers have boarded or have exited the bus and have safely crossed the roadway and are safely on the pedes-
trian areas of the roadway.

No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and
having regard for the actual and potential hazards then existing. Consistently with the foregoing, every per-
son shall drive at a reasonable and prudent speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad
grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching and traversing a hill crest,
when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when special hazards exist with respect to pedes-
trians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions.