By: Sheriff Carmine Marceno
One of any law enforcement officer’s concerns…and likely the paramount concern…is the safety of our children.
Each morning, during the school year, over 100,000 Lee County children begin their day by preparing for and traveling to school. Many of these children travel on district school buses.
We have repeatedly discussed operating at safe speeds in school zones, near school bus stops and when approaching a school bus.
Motorists are aware of the need to fully stop their vehicle when approaching a stopped school bus from either direction when there are no medians present on the roadway.
Some of our deputies have been questioned regarding motorist obligations on divided roadways containing some form of dividing barrier.
To provide clarity, please know that unraised barriers, such as grassy medians WITH A WIDTH OF LESS THAN FIVE (5) FEET, are NOT considered a divided roadway. In this situation, ALL vehicles on BOTH sides of the roadway, must come to a full and complete stop when school buses have their stop-signs operational.
Equally important is the manner in which we approach school buses, when traveling in the OPPOSITE direction, on roadways with raised, concrete barriers or grassy dividers that exceed five feet in width.
Motorists approaching a stopped school bus from the opposite direction, on divided roadways, with stop signs extended, are required to proceed with caution.
While these dividers DO NOT require the motorist to stop their vehicle, it is imperative that drivers recognize the potential tragedies that encompass the area.
Children usually reside on both sides of a given street and will need to cross the roadway both approaching the bus in the morning and departing from it in the afternoon. Often, this is done in the darkened, early morning hours.
Additionally, children have a frightening habit of running out, into the roadway, from between parked cars. Many, if not most, are too small to be seen by oncoming traffic.
It is imperative that motorists recognize the risk that exists at and around stopped buses!
Cell phone use, or use of any electronic devices, by BOTH the motorists and the children, exponentially increase the risks.
Your choices may determine the future of a child. It has been said that “Every child you encounter is a divine appointment.”
Please…operate your vehicle with this in mind.
