Full Notification

The Paulding County Sheriff's Office is reminding drivers that tomorrow is the start of the Paulding County School System. Traditionally, the first day of school brings a tremendous amount of traffic to our schools as parents choose to drive their children to school, many of whom will be starting their first day of kindergarten. This day will be a landmark day for many of our children here in Paulding County.

We urge drivers to leave earlier than normal in the morning if your commute takes you through a school zone. Be ready to exercise patience. If possible, choose an alternate route around the school zone if you are not going to the school.

Here is a list of the start times for each grade level. Expect delays 45 minutes prior to the start time until 20 minutes after the start time:

8:00 a.m. - Elementary Schools
8:45 a.m. - Middle Schools
8:35 a.m. - High Schools

Below is a copy of the press release sent to the local media reminding drivers of the extra attention that will be needed on the roadways.

For Immediate Release

Paulding County Sheriff Office
Turns the H.E.AT. Up in School Zones

(Paulding County, GA) With Paulding County Schools starting back Wednesday, August 3, the Paulding County Sheriff's Office is reminding drivers to remain alert when driving in school zones or around school buses to ensure the safety of our children who are being transported on the Paulding County roadways.

Paulding County Sheriff Gary Gulledge has said that deputies will be patrolling school zones as part of their daily operations. They will also be watching for drivers that fail to stop for school buses that are loading or unloading passengers. He is reminding drivers that Georgia Law requires them to stop in both directions for school buses that are displaying their red flashing lights and has the stop arm activated, except for on controlled access highways or when the highway is divided into separate roadways. After stopping, you may proceed only after the school bus resumes motion or the safety lights are no longer activated.

Deputies with the Paulding County Sheriff's Office Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic (H.E.A.T.) unit urge drivers to use extreme care and to leave more space when traveling around a school bus, especially when following a school bus. "Driver's who are following school buses too closely are not prepared for the frequent stops made by the school bus," Sheriff Gulledge noted. "Drivers should always use extreme caution when following school buses and obey the posted speed limits in the school zones." The majority of fatal crashes involving school buses occurred when the school bus was struck by a smaller passenger vehicle. Sheriff Gulledge reminds drivers that a conviction for unlawfully passing a school bus carries six points on your driving record. "A conviction for passing a stopped school bus also carries a six month suspension of your driver's license for drivers under the age of 21," he added.

Sheriff Gulledge also reminds drivers to be alert for children waiting for the school bus especially during the early morning hours when visibility is reduced. "Children are not always aware of their surroundings or vehicles that may be passing by and the dangers that they pose," he said. "Drivers should be prepared to stop when approaching children that are waiting for a school bus."
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