Charlotte & Sarasota Counties Recognize National School Bus Safety Week
This week, schools in Charlotte and Sarasota counties are joining districts across the nation in observing National School Bus Safety Week, a campaign dedicated to promoting awareness and reinforcing safe practices for students traveling to and from school.
Local law enforcement and school transportation officials are reminding drivers that Florida law requires motorists to stop when a school bus has its stop arm extended and red lights flashing. Violations can result in steep fines and, more importantly, put children at risk.
Charlotte County Public Schools and Sarasota County Schools are both using the week to highlight safety initiatives, from student reminders about proper bus behavior to increased outreach for drivers who share the road with buses.
“More than 20,000 students in Sarasota and Charlotte counties rely on school buses every day,” officials noted. “These buses are among the safest vehicles on the road, but student safety depends on drivers staying alert and obeying the law.”
Key reminders for local motorists include:
Two-lane roads: All traffic must stop for a bus with flashing red lights.
Divided highways with a raised median: Only traffic behind the bus must stop.
Never pass a stopped school bus.
With school buses making hundreds of stops across Charlotte and Sarasota counties each day, officials say National School Bus Safety Week is the perfect time for the community to recommit to keeping children safe.