Every August, Athens undergoes a dramatic transformation.
As local K-12 students return to the classroom and thousands of University of Georgia students move back to campus, traffic patterns change almost overnight. Roads become more congested, school buses return to their routes, crosswalks fill with pedestrians, and cyclists and electric scooters become a much more common sight.
For drivers, parents, and students alike, a little extra awareness can go a long way toward preventing serious accidents.
When Does School Start in Athens?
The return to school happens in two waves.
Clarke County School District students head back to class on Wednesday, August 5, bringing school buses, reduced speed limits, and increased activity around elementary, middle, and high schools.
Then, on Monday, August 17, thousands of University of Georgia students return to Athens as fall classes begin, dramatically increasing vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, and rideshare traffic throughout the city.
Whether you’re commuting to work, dropping off your children, or simply driving through town, it’s important to expect heavier traffic than you’ve seen during the summer months.
What Changes Once School Starts?
The beginning of the school year affects nearly every roadway in Athens.
Drivers may notice:
- Increased traffic during morning and afternoon commute hours
- School buses making frequent stops
- Children crossing streets near schools and bus stops
- More pedestrians around neighborhoods and intersections
- Increased bicycle and electric scooter traffic
- Longer traffic delays near UGA and downtown Athens
- More rideshare vehicles picking up and dropping off students
Even experienced drivers can be caught off guard if they aren’t expecting these seasonal changes.
Safety Tips for Drivers
The best way to protect children and college students is to slow down and stay alert.
Remember to:
- Obey school zone speed limits.
- Never pass a stopped school bus when Georgia law requires you to stop.
- Put your phone away while driving.
- Watch carefully for pedestrians entering crosswalks.
- Expect children to act unpredictably.
- Leave extra travel time during the first few weeks of school.
- Be especially cautious around apartment complexes, dormitories, and campus intersections.
Many back-to-school crashes occur simply because drivers are in a hurry or distracted.
Safety Tips for Parents and Students
Parents can also help children develop safe habits before the school year begins.
Encourage children to:
- Cross only at marked crosswalks when possible.
- Look left, right, then left again before crossing.
- Avoid texting or looking at their phones while crossing the street.
- Make eye contact with drivers before stepping into a crosswalk.
- Wear bright or reflective clothing when walking early in the morning or after sunset.
College students should take these same precautions, especially when walking near campus where distractions and heavy traffic often overlap.
Bicycle and Scooter Safety
Bicycles and electric scooters have become a common way for students to get around Athens.
Whether you’re riding or driving nearby:
- Wear a properly fitted helmet.
- Follow traffic signals and signs.
- Ride predictably and avoid sudden turns.
- Use lights when riding after dark.
- Drivers should leave plenty of room when passing cyclists and always check for bikes before opening a vehicle door.
- Know where bicycles and scooters are permitted to operate. Many sidewalks in busy areas around Athens and the UGA campus are off limits.
Sharing the road safely benefits everyone.
A Community Responsibility
Back-to-school season is exciting, but it also brings increased risks on the road.
A few extra seconds of patience can make all the difference. Slowing down in school zones, staying focused behind the wheel, and watching for pedestrians can help keep children, college students, teachers, crossing guards, and fellow drivers safe throughout the school year.
At Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, we are proud to serve the Athens community. We encourage everyone to make safety a priority as another school year begins.
Loading...