SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (SNN) — As we say goodbye to summer and hello to school bells, law enforcement wants to remind drivers to temper their speed.
On Thursday, school zones will be packed with students yet again.
“We have to understand that so many of these children are biking and walking and skateboarding to school, and these children do not always make the best decisions,” said Trooper Kenn Watson of the Florida Highway Patrol. “So, it’s incumbent upon the driver to make sure that we are doing everything we can to protect the precious cargo that is going to school.”
If you’re driving in a school zone, look out for signs and make sure that you slow down when you see those flashing yellow lights.
Speeding in a school zone comes with consequences.
“Fines are doubled, which obviously gets up there in prices. The points are always there that go against your license, you’ll lose your safe driver status,” said Sarasota Police Department Traffic Homicide Investigator Jason Frank.
Most of the school zones in Sarasota and Manatee counties are 10 to 15 miles per hour, according to the FHP.
“I know that seems awful slow, but the bottom line is we need that time for you to react in case one of these children darts out in front of the roadway,” said Trooper Kenn Watson.
Just because you’re out of a school zone, doesn’t mean there won’t be children in the area.
“What we see a lot of times is as soon as people cross the end of school zone, they hit the accelerator. There’s still kids in the area. Just because that school zone is there, I mean obviously the kids and the parents have to get to that area, which means they’re using the sidewalks, they’re using side streets, they’re still in the area,” said Frank.
Be aware of school crossing guards telling you when to yield to students and when it’s OK to drive.
School zones are also a no phone zone.
“A lot of the newer phones have the option of the driving status and so what it’ll do is send a response saying that you’re driving. So, we encourage people to use technology as well,” said Frank.
Most school zones are their busiest between 6:45 a.m. and 8 a.m. and again between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.