By Tamas Mondovics
To begin 2016-2017 school year, more than 200,000 students made their way back to class, which has clearly made a huge impact on roadways felt by motorists throughout Hillsborough County.
The increased rush hour traffic—thanks to the nearly 1,000 busses on the roadways—and the presence of area students waiting for their bus or make their way to and from school on their own puts an increased responsibility, not only on drivers, but also on parents as well as students.
Each year thousands of drivers illegally pass school busses on any given day amounting to millions of possible violations, not to mention putting children at risk.
To keep students safe, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) also made arrangements to beef up its presence on the roadways as deputies are scheduled to be out in force, in patrol cruisers, motorcycles and unmarked vehicles, keeping a close eye on motorists who don’t know or don’t heed state laws regarding stopping for a school bus.
Taking it even further, HCSO is promoting its student safety efforts by means of a video presentation on the its website appropriately called “Got Brakes?” in which motorists are reminded of important rules of when they do and don’t have to stop for a school bus and to make sure that the season will continue with the utmost student-safety in mind.
“Got Brakes? is the name of our public awareness/enforcement campaign aimed at educating motorists about when they do and don’t have to stop for a school bus,” said HCSO Public Information Officer Larry McKinnon.“ The goal is to keep our children safe through education and enforcement. This public awareness video will help you understand Florida law.”
For more information on Florida’s school bus laws, visit floridaschoolbussafety.gov. The Got Brakes? video can be found on the Sheriff’s Office website at www.hcso.tampa.fl.us.
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