JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Safety is the number one priority within school walls, but how about getting to school in the first place?
Officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office are working to ensure every student in Duval County gets to their first day of school safely. We are on your side with tips for both students and drivers when crossing through school zones.
Officer James Corse says drivers must be aware of school zones all around, particularly in the beginning of the year after the speed limits have not been enforced for the past two and half months.
Corse adds that distracted driving in school or around school buses can cause the most issues not only for drivers but students as well.
“My students love to just run across the street without looking both ways. You know, look around, listen because you'll hear a car moving a little too fast or a school zone probably before you see it. So just looking both ways, taking that one-second pause for your cross can save a big mess of issues,” said Officer Salvatore Santangelo, school safety officer for the Duval County School Board.
The consequences for speeding or passing a stopped school bus are not small.
“Most of the school zones around the city are going to have a reduced speed limit. Please pay attention to speed limits. Most schools have a flashing yellow light. Those speeds will be reduced and the fines increase if you go through the school zone when that flashing light is on. You could face a fine up to $454,” said Corse.
JSO stresses that drivers should not only drive safely during the first day of school but for the entire school year.