Photo by: (Florida Highway Patrol)
Local and state law enforcement agencies are already expressing their concerns about school safety when it comes to drivers, just four weeks into the new year.
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office says September is School Bus Safety Month, and after only two days, the traffic unit has stopped five vehicles on Bee Ridge Road for illegally passing a school bus.
Wednesday morning Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Kenn Watson said they have also cited multiple drivers for passing school buses, something he says happens far too often.
“Please understand that by driving by the school bus with the arms extended you are looking at double fines, court appearances, and jeopardizing the lives of precious cargo,” Watson said.
“It is critically important that all of us understand, in the early morning hours and early afternoon when the buses are out, we need to have good situational awareness.”
Troopers want to remind drivers this is not only against the law, but poses a huge safety hazard for kids.
“We are doing everything we can to make sure the kids are safe. Earlier this morning troopers made stops for people passing the school bus while the arm was extended,” he said. “It’s happening every day and it needs to stop.”
Also this week, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office saw a crash involving a car and a bus, and Watson said these aren’t minor accidents. Drivers need to be more aware.
“What we are doing now is letting everyone see these photographs and how dangerous this can be,” Watson said. “School buses are very easy to see, large, yellow, red flashing lights, absolutely no excuse to not see that vehicle.”
It is illegal to pass a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm — from either direction. The only exception is if you’re driving in the opposite direction and there is a median or physical barrier dividing the lanes.
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Source: mysuncoast
