HOLMES BEACH – School is back in session at Anna Maria Elementary School, and officials warn drivers to stay alert and slow down, particularly in the school zone.
Distracted driving is an area of particular concern, according to Holmes Beach police officers.
“The biggest problem we see is people not paying attention and not slowing down,” Lt. Brian Hall said. “A lot of people still have their cell phones in their hands while they’re driving through the school zone. We’ve been enforcing that and have given a lot of citations already and will continue to have a presence throughout the school year.”
Hall said that his department takes violations in school zones very seriously and most violators will be ticketed, not warned. He also points out that a violation in a school zone carries higher fines and penalties, similar to construction zone fines, which are often double that of a regular violation.
When driving through a school zone, police can stop anyone texting, talking or using a phone in any manner other than hands-free.
A new survey from AAA reveals that many drivers admit to risky behaviors like using their handheld mobile phones and speeding while driving through a school zone. A survey of Floridians shows 38% admitted to speeding and 32% admitted to using their hand-held phone while driving in active school zones.
“Drivers can save lives by having a heightened sense of awareness from the moment they leave the driveway,” AAA Spokesman Mark Jenkins said. “You’d expect to see more foot traffic near schools, but neighborhoods and city streets will also be bustling
with activity. Since children can move quickly and cross the road unexpectedly, it’s important to constantly scan the road for people while driving and be ready to stop at a moment’s notice. You can also reduce the risk of injury by slowing down and avoiding distractions like using your cellphone or eating while driving.”
AAA representatives, through the company’s School’s Open Drive Carefully campaign, remind motorists to:
- Slow down. Speed limits in school zones are reduced for a reason. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 25 mph is nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed compared to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling just 10 mph faster.
- Come to a complete stop. Research shows that more than one-third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones or neighborhoods. Always come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.
- Eliminate distractions. Taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing.
- Share the road with bicyclists. Children on bicycles are often inexperienced, unsteady and unpredictable. Slow down and allow at least 3 feet of passing distance between your vehicle and a bicyclist.
Both Holmes Beach police officers and AAA representatives also stress the importance of parents educating children on being alert when crossing the street or walking near traffic. Both motorists and pedestrians should take safety measures as a precaution when traveling, particularly through busy areas.
It’s also important to know the law regarding school buses. All drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street or a multi-lane paved median must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children and the school bus stop arm is withdrawn.
Traffic approaching an oncoming school bus does not need to stop if there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least 5 feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic. However, motorists should slow down and watch for students loading or unloading from the bus.
