JACKSONVILLE, Fla — Duval County Public Schools is urging drivers to be careful around school buses after sharing a Bus Stop-Arm video of a vehicle attempting to pass a stopped bus and almost hitting a student.
DCPS says the video, taken on August 19, shows the bus coming to a complete stop and extending its two flashing stop signs on North Jefferson Street, west of Downtown Jacksonville, when a car passes the first of the bus’s two extended stop signs. The car then comes to an abrupt stop when a student crosses the street.
“Stopping is not optional,” said DCPS Director of Transportation Chayla Ferguson.
“This video highlights the importance of following state law by stopping for school buses with their red lights flashing,” said DCPS Police Chief Jackson Short. “We narrowly avoided a tragedy on this day, and we hope that this is a wake-up call to all of Duval County drivers.” According to Short, nearly 4,000 citations have been approved since August 10, the first day of school.
Two Florida statutes and SB 994 require drivers to stop for a school bus, set the penalty fee for violations, and authorize the use of stop-arm camera technology. Drivers in all directions must come to a complete stop unless they’re driving on a divided highway that’s separated by a physical median.
You can find more information on the district’s stop-arm camera program on the DCPS website.
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