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Every August/September there is a lot of media coverage cautioning drivers to be on the lookout for school buses, reminding drivers of school-bus laws and safety around schools and bus stops. What about the rest of the year? 

From January to June in 2016, there were 7 major school bus accidents alone in Florida: 

• January 2016. Five students were transported to a hospital after a school bus collided with a SUV in Hillsborough County.
• February 2016. A Venice school bus collided head on with a Chevy Cobalt injuring three students.
• March 2016. Seventy-two students were injured when a semi truck hit two school buses stopped in Jackson County. The first bus was picking up students while the second was waiting in line behind it when the truck hit the second bus, creating a chain reaction. Both buses had their warning lights flashing.
• April 2016. Twenty-seven students went to the hospital after three school buses collided with one another in Middleburg.
• April 2016. In Eagle Lake, a school bus collided with a car sending two students to the hospital.
• May 2016. A driver of a Toyota Camry was killed after crashing into the rear of a school bus in Pembroke Pines. Besides the school bus driver, the bus was empty and stopped at a red light at the time of the accident.
• May 2016. One student was seriously injured after a semi truck hit a school bus in Alachua County. 

In addition to school buses being present, school-aged children are everywhere. Children can be unpredictable. They can be easily distracted, and can run into traffic and/or from behind parked vehicles. Drivers need to be on the lookout for children even in neighborhoods where they may be at bus stops. Loading and unloading school buses may be particularly dangerous times for students. 

Drivers are reminded to slow down in school zones and adhere to posted speed limits. Florida statutes say that drivers who exceed the posted speed limits in school zones face fines ranging from $154 to $604. Failing to stop for a school bus with its lights flashing is a $269 fine, while passing a stopped school bus with its lights flashing brings a $369 fine. 

Research which was done by the National Safety Council (NCS) shows that most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, and they are walking. They are hit by a bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. A few precautions go a long way toward keeping children safe, says NSC. Here is a link to the NCS website ncs.org where it covers subjects such as: 

• Drop-off procedures
• Sharing the road with young pedestrians
• Sharing the road with school buses
• Sharing the road with bicyclists 

“The safety of our school children should be the first thing that comes to mind when traveling around schools, school buses and bus stops no matter what time of year. Consistent reminders are required so we do not become complacent and distracted. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact the experienced attorneys at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. to determine your rights,” said Randall Spivey, Charlotte County Vehicle Accident Attorney.

Charlotte County Vehicle Accident Attorney,Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com. Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.