DULUTH, Ga. – With students across Georgia returning to classrooms and school buses once again traveling neighborhood streets, the beginning of the academic year is bringing renewed attention to the dangers children face around school zones, bus stops, crosswalks and congested pickup and drop-off areas.
Approximately 1.7 million children return to schools throughout Georgia during the school year, according to information cited by the Georgia Department of Public Safety. The agency has previously reported that 69% of Georgia drivers regularly travel routes taking them through school zones or near school bus stops.
The afternoon hours deserve particular attention. Nearly one-third of child pedestrian fatalities occur between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., when schools are dismissing students and children may be walking, biking or waiting near roadways.
“The first weeks of school require an adjustment from everyone on the road,” said a representative of Zdrilich Injury Law. “Drivers who became accustomed to lighter summer traffic are suddenly sharing the road with school buses, young pedestrians, parents and new drivers. Slowing down and eliminating distractions can prevent a momentary mistake from becoming a life-changing accident.”
Georgia officials have continued to emphasize school-zone and school-bus safety. State troopers have warned motorists that buses make frequent stops and that children may unexpectedly enter the roadway after getting off a bus.
The risks extend beyond the immediate school property. Neighborhood intersections, residential streets and school bus stops can become particularly active during morning and afternoon transportation periods.
Georgia has also strengthened its approach to protecting children around school buses. Under Addy’s Law, illegally passing a stopped school bus can result in significantly increased penalties. The measure was enacted following the death of an 8-year-old Georgia student who was struck while attempting to board a school bus.
In addition, Georgia lawmakers approved legislation in 2026 revising provisions governing automated traffic enforcement safety devices in school zones, keeping school-zone traffic enforcement and driver behavior at the center of the state’s broader roadway safety conversation.
Recent Georgia Department of Public Safety data illustrates why officials remain concerned. During the early portion of the 2025-26 school year, state troopers, Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers and local agencies investigated 95 school bus crashes in which fault was attributed to another motorist.
Common driving behaviors that can contribute to school-related crashes include speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, failing to yield and improperly passing stopped school buses.
For families, the consequences of a serious school-zone or pedestrian collision can extend far beyond the initial accident. Injuries may require emergency treatment, rehabilitation, ongoing medical care and time away from work for parents or caregivers.
Zdrilich Injury Law represents individuals and families throughout Georgia who have been injured because of another party’s negligence. The firm handles personal injury matters involving automobile collisions, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle crashes, commercial truck accidents and other serious incidents.
“When children are present, drivers have an added responsibility to remain alert,” the firm representative said. “No text message, appointment or attempt to save a few minutes is worth putting a child’s safety at risk.”
As Georgia settles into another school year, motorists can help reduce preventable accidents by allowing additional travel time, obeying reduced school-zone speed limits, stopping when required for school buses, avoiding cellphone use and carefully scanning for children before proceeding through intersections and crosswalks.
Newsworthiness Justification
Back-to-school season creates an immediate shift in traffic patterns across Georgia as school buses return to the roads and millions of students travel to and from school. The issue is particularly timely in 2026 because Georgia has revised provisions involving automated school-zone traffic enforcement while existing state laws impose stronger consequences for motorists who illegally pass stopped school buses. Combined with state data highlighting child pedestrian risks during afternoon dismissal hours and previous school bus crashes caused by other motorists, the start of the academic year provides a timely opportunity to reinforce safe driving practices.
Boilerplate
Zdrilich Injury Law is a Georgia personal injury law firm serving clients in Duluth and throughout the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. The firm represents individuals and families affected by negligence, including victims of automobile accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle crashes, commercial truck collisions and other serious injury matters. Zdrilich Injury Law focuses on helping clients understand their legal rights while navigating insurance claims and the civil justice system. The firm is committed to personalized representation, clear communication and dedicated advocacy for Georgia injury victims.
For more information, visit www.zinjurylaw.com.
Media Contact
Company Name: Zdrilich Injury Law
Contact Person: Joseph Zdrilich
Email: Send Email
Phone: 770-931-9604
Address:3575 Koger Blvd. Ste 125
City: Duluth
State: Georgia
Country: United States
Website: https://www.zinjurylaw.com/
Press Release Distributed by ABNewswire.com
To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Back-to-School Traffic Brings Renewed Safety Concerns to Georgia Roads
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