Today is the first day of school for the DeKalb and Fulton county systems. Gwinnett, Cobb and Atlanta went back last week.

And you know what that means: gridlock returns to the roads as the kids return to school.

“I have to leave home 10 to 15 minutes earlier, because it’s just a sea of cars coming down that street,” said Susan Robinson, a receptionist at a veterinary clinic on South Cobb Drive.

Does traffic really get worse when schools go back into session?

To find out, the AJC compared state traffic counts on selected interstates and surface streets. The results will surprise you.

Subscribers can read the full story on our premium website, MyAJC.com.

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Helen Gilbert places flowers on her brother Eurie Martin’s grave at Camp Spring Baptist Church in Sandersville. Her brother died eight years ago. Three former Washington County deputies are accused of causing his death and are set to stand trial Monday. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez