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Thousands of SW Florida students ages 5 to 18 head to the streets early every weekday morning and afternoon. School is back in session which means motorists will be sharing the road with school buses.

"It can sometimes take a few weeks for drivers to get used to the routine of having school zone lights flashing again at certain times of the day," Sheriff Bill Prummell of the Charlotte County Sherriff’s Office said. "So we want to remind everyone to remember to slow down and watch out for children, particularly at bus stops and crossing zones. If necessary, leave a little early so you don't feel rushed."

Each year the NSC (National Safety Council) reminds us of the following rules in hope of preventing bus-related accidents:

• It is illegal in any state to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.
• School buses use yellow flashing lights to alert motorists that they are preparing to stop to load or unload children. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign signals to motorists that the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off the bus.
• All states require that traffic in both directions stop on undivided roadways when students are entering or exiting a school bus.
• While state laws vary on what is required on a divided roadway, in all cases, traffic behind the school bus, traveling in the same direction, must stop. (The 2015 Florida Statute 316.172 - Traffic to stop for school bus - The driver of a vehicle upon a divided highway with an unpaved space of at least 5 feet, a raised median, or a physical barrier is not required to stop when traveling in the opposite direction of a school bus which is stopped in accordance with the provisions of section 316.172.)
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is where children are in the most danger of being hit. Stop your car far enough from the bus to allow children the necessary space to safely enter and exit the bus.
• Be alert. Children are unpredictable. Children walking to or from the bus are usually very comfortable with the surroundings. This makes them more likely to take risks, ignore hazards or fail to look both ways when crossing the street.
• Never pass a school bus on the right. It is illegal and could have tragic consequences.

According to Florida law, if a driver passes a stopped school bus, the court shall impose a fine of at least $100 plus an additional civil penalty of $65. Four points will also be added to the driver’s license. If a driver is found to have committed this offense two or more times within a five-year period, in addition to a fine of at least $100 plus an additional civil penalty of $65, the driver’s license will be suspended for between 90 days and six months.

According to Florida Statute §316.172(1)(b), there are even steeper penalties if you pass a stopped school bus displaying its stop signal on the side of the bus that children enter and exit the bus. If you are charged with this violation, you must attend a mandatory hearing. If you are found to have committed the offense, you will have to pay a minimum fine of $200 plus an additional civil penalty of $65. Four points will also be added to your driver’s license. If you are found to have committed this offense two or more times within a five-year period, in addition to a fine of at least $200 plus an additional civil penalty of $65, your driver’s license will be suspended for between 180 days and one year.

"These penalties may seem high, but not high when compared to the penalties both drivers and injured or killed students have to pay when school bus laws are ignored and broken," says Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.

Parents should talk about bus safety with their children. Do not assume your child knows what to do. It has been a long summer since children left school in June, and they can easily forget how to be safe when going to, or coming from, school.

The Collier County Sherriff’s office offers the following tips for bus riders to remain safe:

• Have a safe place to wait for your bus, away from traffic and off the street.
• Never sit on the roadway while waiting for your bus.
• Stay away from the bus until the driver gives his/her signal that it's okay to approach.
• Be aware of the street traffic around you. Protect yourself and watch out!
• While riding the bus, remain seated and conduct yourself in an orderly fashion. Aisles in the bus should remain clear.
• Don't stick anything out of the bus windows.

"If your child is injured by a careless motorist, contact the personal injury attorneys at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. to determine your rights," says Attorney Randall Spivey.

Fort Myers Child Injuries 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.