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School Bus Safety And Traffic Laws
August 10, 2016
It’s the first day of school in Escambia County, with more than 40,000 students making their way to and from school. About 25,000 of them will be on board 300 school buses across the county.
Parents are reminded to instruct their children to be at the bus stop at least five minutes before scheduled bus arrival time, stay off of the roadway, observe and stay clear of traffic, stay out of the bus blind spots, don’t chase after the bus once it leaves the bus stop, and buckle seat belts as soon as they board.
Motorists are reminded to give themselves plenty of time to get where they’re going and to be patient in traffic. They should watch out for school buses, comply with bus-passing laws, and stay off of those cell phones.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, drivers must follow these school and school bus safety rules:
- Adhere to the posted speed limit in designated school zones.
- When approaching an intersection where a crossing guard is present in the crosswalk with the stop sign raised, do not cross – or turn – into the crosswalk until the guard has completely left the crosswalk.
- Never stop a vehicle in a manner that blocks a crosswalk.
- When you approach a stopped school bus (from behind) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you must stop.
- When you approach a stopped school bus (from front) with lights flashing and the stop arm extended, you also must stop, unless:
- you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by an unpaved space at least five feet in width, or
- you are on a divided highway and the roadways are separated by a physical barrier.
- You are required to stop at least 10 feet away from the school bus.
- You must not resume driving until the school bus turns its lights off and withdraws its stop sign.
- Be certain all exiting children have reached a safe place before proceeding.
Comments
3 Responses to “School Bus Safety And Traffic Laws”
@ Dale W Black
Escambia County drivers–some, not YOU of course–firmly believe that a Yellow traffic light (flashing or steady) means HIT THE GAS I CAN MAKE IT.
Major Goals for the Day should be to pay attention to your driving.
Dale W Black, LOOK AGAIN! Posted speed in GB is 35 NOT 45. even without school Zone!
Safety suggestion: “No green traffic lights in school zones”
Many times when driving through Gulf Breeze, and stopping at the traffic light in front of the middle school, my mind wanders to my goals for the day and I forget that I’m still in a 20mph school zone. The light turns green. I hit the gas and take off like many of the other drivers around me, accelerating towards that 45mph zone I know is up ahead. If instead, the light would change from red to flashing yellow (just like the light posts marking the beginning of the school zone) I would remember that I’m still in that 20mph zone and drive accordingly. Maybe save a life, who knows.