Georgia law enforcement ready to crack down on drivers illegally passing school bus

Addy's law is in effect as of July 1st.

July 1, 2024

Tanya Modersitzki,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – — Starting Monday July 1st, Middle Georgia law enforcement is cracking down on drivers who illegally pass school buses. It’s a new law called Addy’s Law. It’s named after an 8-year-old girl who died trying to cross the street to get to her bus.

Even though summer just started, it’s not too early to think about school starting. Dodge County Sheriff Brian Robinson said he and his deputies will be looking out for drivers illegally passing school buses.

“We’re going to enforce it if people pass this school bus you’re going to get a citation. You’re going to go to court and you’re going to have to be at the judge’s mercy,” Robinson said.

If caught illegally passing a school bus, the fine is a minimum of $1,000. You can also face up to a year in jail.

At Houston County Public Schools, Tom Walmer with the transportation department, said another part of the law is making sure kids are picked up on the right side of the street which may cause some districts to reroute certain buses. He said they’ve already had tis safety measure in place.

“The child can’t cross the road if its more than two lanes. It’s something school districts have worked on for a long time,” Walmer said.

Walmer encourages drivers to slow down and not be in a rush.