Standard Procedures

1. GA law, 40-6-164, after stopping to allow children to disembark from the bus, it shall be unlawful for the driver of the school bus to proceed until all children who need to cross the roadway, have done so safely.
2. GA law, 40-6-163, duty of driver of vehicle meeting or overtaking school bus; reporting of violations - sections (a) & (b) describe how cars and trucks will stop when the stop arm is out during child loading and unloading (with exceptions on a divided highway). In section (c) every school bus driver who observes a violation of subsection (a) of this Code section is authorized and directed to record the facts and report it to local law enforcement.

APS bus stops must meet the following:

1. 40 feet away from intersections or traffic control signals.

2. No student should cross multiple traffic lanes.

3. Bus stops must be visible from 300 feet in all directions.

4. Students must stand at least 12 feet from the bus's path.

5. Stops spaced no closer than ¼ mile apart.

6. No stops in:

   • Cul-de-sacs

   • Railroad crossings

   • High-volume roads or highways

   • Intersections/corners

   • Hazard/no transport zones

   • Private roads/property 

1. Walk Zones

   • Elementary: no bus if within 1-mile navigation

   • Middle/High School: no bus if within 1½-mile navigation
      

2. Walking Distance

   • Stops may be up to ½ mile apart.

   • Students may walk up to ¼ mile to reach their assigned stop.

   • Supervision Required: Students 8 and under must be met by an adult or designee; otherwise, they will be returned to school.

   • DFACS Guidelines:

     • Ages 8 & under: never left alone.

     • Ages 9–12: short periods alone, based on maturity.

     • Age 13+: can supervise others (except in foster care or with medical needs).
        

3. Adult Identification

   • Drivers must see and identify adult/designee at the stop.

   • Adults must exit their vehicles and stand at the stop at least 5 minutes before arrival.
      

4. Stop Location Restrictions

   • No blind spots: avoid curves and hills (visibility must be 300 feet).

   • No stops near operational railroad crossings.

   • Prefer sidewalks or safe roadside spacing.

   • Stops must not require reverse movement by the bus.
      

5. Stop Timing & Exceptions

   • Buses wait no longer than 2 minutes at any stop.

   • No unscheduled stops or exceptions unless approved via Dispatch.

   • School loading zones are official stops.

   • Students must never be required to cross multi-lane roads or railroads.
      

6. Turnaround Protocol

   • Pickup: board students first, then turn around.

   • Drop-off: turn around first, then release students.
      

7. Left-Side Stops

   • Students must cross at least 3 steps ahead of the bus.

   • Wait for the stop arm and signals before crossing.

   • Always follow the driver’s directions and watch for unauthorized vehicles.
      

8. High-Crime Areas

   • Stops will not be placed where high crime is documented when possible.

Only the following are permitted on APS buses:

• APS employees

• Enrolled APS students

• Approved individuals by the Director of Transportation

• Arrive 5 - 10 minutes early.

• Stand 12 feet from the road.

• Form a single file line.

• Remain seated while riding the bus.

• Keep electronics packed away.

• Do not distract the bus operator.

• Do not chase the bus or go to another stop.

• A 12-foot area around the bus where visibility is limited.

• Stay clear of:

  • Front and rear tires

  • Front bumper and door areas

If you drop an item:

• Move out of the Danger Zone

• Wave to get the driver’s attention before retrieving anything

Make sure you are always able to see the driver when outside the school bus. NEVER return to the bus for something you left behind or dropped without getting the bus driver’s attention.

• Leave any object and move to a point, out of the danger zone.
• Then get the driver’s attention by putting your hands and arms above your head and waving.
• Wait for the driver to see you and give you instructions before returning to the bus or before picking up anything dropped near the bus. If you do not get the driver’s attention, you should not attempt to retrieve the item.
   

Be aware of the danger of passing cars that do not stop like they should.

• The danger may be from cars passing from the rear on the left side of the bus.
• Or from cars passing from all directions on both the left and right side of the bus.
   

Always be alert and focused when near the Danger Zone. 

If NOT crossing the road:

• Wait 12 feet from the road

• Approach only after the bus stops and traffic halts

If crossing the road:

• Wait for the driver’s signal

• Cross 12 feet in front of the bus

• Look both ways before & while crossing

• Never retrieve dropped items without driver approval

If NOT crossing the road:

• Walk directly away from the bus

• Remain visible to the driver

If crossing the road:

• Exit and walk to the front-right of the bus

• Make eye contact with the driver

• Wait for two crossing signals: at the crossing gate and road center

• Cross directly and never behind the bus

• Look both ways before and while crossing

• Never retrieve dropped items without driver approval

• Walk straight toward the school

• Stay away from the bus and parked vehicles

• Never run or chase items under the bus

• Walk directly to the bus door

• Be visible to the driver

• Promptly board — no chasing the bus

• Never approach a moving bus.

• The bus driver is the authority on all safety concerns.

• Safety is a shared responsibility — always remain alert.