Last week, the Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 25, a new school bus safety law which went into effect on Monday. This was the first bill Kemp signed into law since becoming governor.

The new law mandates drivers stop for a stopped school bus.

State School Superintendent Richard Woods issued the following statement last Friday on Senate Bill 25:

“It reverses the change and takes effect immediately – it is once again clear that in Georgia it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus unless on a highway divided by a grass median, unpaved area, or physical barrier. I commend Governor Kemp and our legislators, including Senator Heath and Representative Ehrhart, for acting swiftly in the interest of students’ safety. I can rest a little easier tonight, and I believe that’s true for our school transportation directors and parents as well.” 

“I am in support of the new bus safety law as it offers greater safety for our students,” Long County Interim School Superintendent David Edwards said. There are about 2,500 students among Long County School District’s 3,800 student population that ride a school bus, according to Edwards.

“The district continues to stress to our drivers the importance of safe driving practices, staying focused and safe loading and unloading procedures,” said Jason Rogers, Chief Operations Officer for the Liberty County School System.