As students return to classrooms, drivers are reminded to stay alert and follow traffic laws to help keep students safe
As students across Hillsborough County head back to school this week, drivers will see more school buses, pedestrians, bicyclists, and families on the roadways. The start of the school year is a good reminder for everyone to slow down, stay alert, and take extra care around schools, bus stops, and crosswalks. Paying attention on the roads can help keep students, families, and other drivers safe.
Hillsborough County's Safe Travels program works to improve roadway safety for everyone, including students walking and biking to school. The County's Safe Routes to School program focuses on making student walking and biking routes safer through improvements such as pedestrian signage, pavement markings, signal timing changes, and speed-reduction treatments.
Here are some important reminders as the new school year gets underway.
Stay safe at the bus stop
Students should wait for the school bus in a safe location away from traffic and avoid playing or running near the roadway. When the bus arrives, students should wait until it comes to a complete stop and follow the bus driver's instructions. Students should also look both ways before crossing the road and cross only when directed. Drivers approaching a bus stop should slow down and be prepared to stop. Children may be difficult to see as they walk toward or away from a school bus and may unexpectedly enter the roadway.
Follow the law
Florida law requires motorists to stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and stop signal displayed. Drivers must remain stopped until the stop signal is withdrawn and the children are clear of the roadway.
On a two-way street or highway, drivers traveling in both directions must stop for a school bus displaying its stop signal.
The rules differ on certain divided highways:
- If a highway is divided by a raised barrier, such as a concrete median, or an unpaved median at least five feet wide, drivers traveling in the opposite direction from the bus are not required to stop but should use caution.
- Drivers traveling in the same direction as the bus must always stop.
- A painted line or pavement marking does not count as a physical barrier or median. In that situation, traffic traveling in both directions must stop.
When in doubt, slow down and stop. Never attempt to pass a stopped bus displaying its stop signal.
Penalties for passing a stopped school bus include:
- A moving violation subject to citation and fines
- A requirement to complete a basic driver improvement course upon conviction
- Four points on your driver's license
Yield to pedestrians and crossing guards
Drivers should be especially alert for students crossing the street near schools and bus stops. When pedestrians or school crossing guards are in a crosswalk, drivers must yield and stop at the stop line, not in the crosswalk. Crossing guards are there to help students safely cross the road, so drivers should always follow their directions. Give pedestrians plenty of space, and do not assume a child will see or hear your vehicle.
Put the phone away
Driving through a school zone requires full attention. Put your phone away before driving and avoid distractions that can take your eyes off the road.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reminds drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and stay focused in school zones. Under Florida law, school zones are strictly hands-free zones, meaning use of a handheld mobile device is illegal. Distracted driving can be especially dangerous when children are nearby because they may move unexpectedly into or around the roadway.
Follow crossing guards and posted speed limits
Slow down when entering a school zone and follow all posted speed limits and traffic signs. Pay close attention to flashing school-zone signs, crossing guards, school buses, and other traffic-control devices. School-zone speed limits and other restrictions are in place to give drivers more time to react when children are present.
Do not drive around a crossing guard or ignore a stop paddle. Wait until the crossing guard indicates that it is safe to proceed.
Give yourself extra time
The first few days of school can bring increased traffic around schools, longer drop-off and pickup lines, and more pedestrians and buses on the road. Leave early, be patient, and expect delays. Rushing through a school zone or passing a stopped bus is not only dangerous, but illegal.
Hillsborough County is committed to creating safer roads for everyone. Through programs such as Safe Routes to School, the County continues working to improve safety for students walking and biking to school.
A safe school year starts with everyone doing their part to keep the roadways safe. Parents are encouraged to review safety tips with their children to make sure they are safe on and around school buses and school zones. Discover all the ways Hillsborough County is working to keep the roads safe by visiting HCFL.gov/safetravels.