Children started returning to school last Friday, and it’s once again time for motorists to pay special attention to those bright yellow school buses.

Georgia state law requires vehicles to stop when overtaking or meeting a stopped school bus that is loading or unloading passengers. Vehicles are required to stop in both directions for a stopped school bus that is displaying its red stop lights and has the stop arm activated, except on a controlled-access highway or when the highway is divided into separate roadways.

In addition, motorists should slow down anytime they are traveling through a school zone, or in an area where buses are stopping. Even though the bus may start moving again, be sure that all children in the area are either on the bus or have headed home. Buses are large vehicles and can block visibility of young passengers.

Let’s all use common sense and safe driving habits this year, and make this school year one to remember for all the right reasons — and not for tragic ones.