Transportation Services

The school bus is an important part of your student's day. The bus driver is a vital link between home and school. The Transportation Department plays a key role in the education of all students within our school district, as the school bus is an extension of the classroom. The Tattnall County School System is committed to providing the safest and most efficient transportation possible for our students. This is a cooperative effort between the parents, teachers, school administrators, bus drivers, and the community.  Transportation of these students operates in compliance with policies and procedures established by State of Georgia Department of Education and the local Tattnall County Board of Education. 

School Bus Safety

School bus safety is a reality when everyone involved takes an active role in educating themselves and our students. Teachers, parents, administrators, transportation personnel, and roadside companions all play an important part in keeping our children safe while on or around the school bus.  Specific rules and regulations were developed and are enforced in order to ensure the safety of students. It is important that each student realize his or her role in achieving this goal. Students must cooperate with the driver and obey all rules and regulations. Parents are encouraged to support the bus drivers in their efforts to perform their duties in a safe manner.  The school bus is an extension of the classroom. To keep our students safe, please talk with your child(ren) to adhere to the following:

• Arrive at the bus stop 5 minutes before pick-up time.
  
• Stay out of the School Bus “Danger Zone” 12 feet around the bus.
  
• Wait in an orderly fashion 12 feet back in line at the bus stop. Don’t push and shove.
  
• Wait for the driver’s signal before crossing the street or approaching the bus.
  
• The Bus “HORN” means “DANGER!!” Seek safety.
  
• Always cross the street in front of the bus. NEVER cross the street behind the bus.
  
• Never crawl under a school bus. If you drop something, LEAVE IT!
  

The bus driver and monitor are authorized to take the following actions regarding inappropriate bus behavior:

• Talk to students about proper bus behavior.
• Assign seats when necessary.
  
• Ask Parent to step away from the door.
  
• It is unlawful for a parent to get on a school bus. Ga Code 20-2-1181 Disrupting School /Ga Code 20-2-1182 Abuse of School Employees
  

Listed below are some of the conduct requirements expected of every student. Please read them carefully and discuss each of them with your student.

• No eating or drinking soft drinks on the school bus. Water okay.
  
• No loud noises, talking, laughing, or “horse-play” that might distract the driver.
  
• Do not move from your seat while the bus is in motion.
  
• No use of tobacco products, alcohol, drugs, or vaping.
  
• Keep head, hands, and feet inside the bus.
  
• Do not deface the interior of the bus or bus seats.
  
• Sit facing the front of the bus, and keep feet out of the aisle.
  
• Objects other than those related to school are not allowed on the bus.
  
• Do not throw anything out of the bus windows.

Georgia School Bus Laws
 

40-6-160 Speed Limits

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, it shall be unlawful to operate: (1) A school bus transporting school children to and from school or to and from school activities at a speed greater than 40 miles per hour on a public road other than one which is a part of a National System Interstate and Defense Highways; or (2) A school bus transporting school children to and from school activities on a public road which is part of a National System of Interstate or Defense Highways at a speed of greater than 55 miles per hour. (b) When a school bus is transporting school children to and from an event or school activity or an express bus transporting children during such transportation, the speed limit shall be 55 miles per hour on other public roads as well as those which are part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. (amended by GA.L. 1992 p. 2785)

40-6-161 School bus headlights must be lit when transporting children.

It shall be unlawful to operate any school bus, which is transporting children unless the headlights are illuminated.

40-6-162 Use of Visual Signals.

A school bus driver shall actuate the visual signals required by Code 40-8-111 and 40-8-115 whenever, but only whenever, the school bus is stopped on the highway for the purpose of receiving or discharging school children. A school bus driver shall not actuate the visual signals: (1) At intersections or other places where traffic is controlled by traffic- control signals or police officers; or (2) In designated school bus loading areas where the bus is entirely off the roadway.

40-6-163 Driver of Vehicle Meeting or Overtaking School Bus;

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section, the driver of a vehicle meeting or overtaking from either direction any school bus stopped on the highway shall stop before reaching such school bus when there are in operation on the school bus the visual signals as specified in Code Sections 40-8-111 and 40-8-115, and such driver shall not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the visual signals are no longer actuated.
(b) The driver of a vehicle upon a highway with separate roadways that are separated by a grass median, unpaved area, or a physical barrier need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus which is on the separate roadway or upon a controlled-access highway when the school bus is stopped in a loading zone which is a part of or adjacent to such highway and where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway.
(c) Every school bus driver who observes a violation of subsection (a) of this Code section is authorized and directed to record specifically the vehicle description, license number of the offending vehicle, and time and place of occurrence on forms furnished by the Department of Public Safety. Such report shall be submitted within 15 days of the occurrence of the violation to the local law enforcement agency which has law enforcement jurisdiction where the alleged offense occurred.