Safety urged as children return to school

Aug 6, 2026 By CJ HADDAD 5 min read

School is about to be back in session, which means a greater number of children near roadways in the morning and afternoon hours. 

To help avoid tragedies and to keep kids safe, various local entities are speaking out when it comes to how to best traverse the roadways, looking out for students in the street and buses making stops. 

According to information provided by the School District of Lee County, last school year the district had 61,416 daily riders, which was a 31% increase from the year before.  The district also averaged a 98% on-time arrival rate in the morning.

A major issue on roadways each year are cars passing around or not stopping for school buses that are picking up or dropping of students, with the extended-arm stop sign raised.

“When our full fleet of buses are back on the road Aug. 11, the cameras will again be recording any car that illegally passes a stopped school bus,” said District spokesperson Rob Spicker. “Unless there is a five-foot-wide raised median between you and the bus, you must stop.  Please put the safety of students first and protect them from injury or worse when getting on or off the bus. Drivers who fail to stop will receive a $225 citation.”

Spicker added that in the seven months, from December through the end of summer school in July, there were 30,232 citations issues to the owners of vehicles illegally passing a school bus. 

Spicker said statistically, 90% of those cited do not get a second citation, however, the district would rather initiate a change in behavior before someone is fined or a student is hurt.

August also kicks off the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ child safety campaign to educate and encourage Florida’s motorists, parents, caregivers, and children to “Know Their Zone” and be aware of the critical safety areas around school buses, school zones, and neighborhoods where children are walking, biking, or being picked up and dropped off.

In 2023, the Florida legislature passed House Bill 0657 and Senate Bill 0766, which created and amended multiple Florida Statutes that authorize local jurisdictions to implement and operate school zone speed detection systems and school bus passing infraction detection systems. 

“Passing a school bus is not just a traffic violation, it’s a direct threat to the safety of children,” FLHSMV officials stated. “Each illegal pass poses a risk to children entering and exiting the bus. As responsible community members, we have a duty to ensure their safety by following the law and not passing a school bus.”

FLHSMV officials said speeding remains the most common traffic violation impacting school and child safety, with more than 54,000 unlawful speeding citations issued in work or school zones in 2025 alone.

“Florida Highway Patrol troopers see firsthand the impact that speeding, distraction, and unsafe decisions can have on our communities, especially around schools and school buses. As students return to class, we urge all motorists to Know Their Zone, put safety first, and stay vigilant,” stated FHP Colonel Gary Howze. “A moment of inattention can lead to tragedy, but a moment of caution can save a life. Together, we can create a safer environment for every child on every road.”

Distractions while driving, such as handheld wireless device use, are illegal in school crossings, school zones, and active work zones and contribute significantly to crashes, stated FLHSMV officials. 

Statistics provided by FLHSMV show that in Florida, a crash occurs every 44 seconds, and one in seven is caused by distracted driving. Parents are encouraged to review safety tips with their children to help ensure they remain safe around school buses and within school zones.

While bus stops are at the forefront of places where children catch a ride to school, there are also students riding bikes, scooters, and e-bikes to class to and from their place of education each day. 

“School commutes are now more complex than ever,” stated Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Drivers aren’t just watching for students on foot and children getting on or off school buses. They’re also sharing the road with e-bike and e-scooter riders. When you combine that with distracted driving and speeding, the consequences can be devastating.”

Tips from AAA, state drivers should:

•  Obey posted school zone speed limits

•  Put phones away and eliminate distractions

•  Watch for crossing guards and pedestrians

•  Allow extra travel time to avoid rushing

Students are reminded to:

•  Cross at marked crosswalks whenever possible

•  Stay alert and avoid phones when walking near traffic and crossing streets

•  Make eye contact with drivers before crossing a roadway

•  Use designated crosswalks and bus loading areas

•  Follow school safety rules for bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters

Students are also being kept safe inside the classroom, not just on the way there. 

“Keeping students safe is our highest priority,” Spicker said. “The School District of Lee County is the only school district in Florida to use OPENGATE Weapon Detection Systems at every K-12 school. No other school district in the nation deploys as many OPENGATE units as we do. Screening every student, staff member, and guest before they enter campus is one of many seen and unseen security measures at our schools. To keep our campuses safe takes all of us to be engaged, aware, and involved. Students need to report suspicious activity, parents can inspect backpacks before their child leaves and set expectations for behavior, and our community can be vigilant when driving to protect students that are waiting for buses or walking to and from school.”

To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com