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In 1996, the Florida Department of Education deducted that most drivers don’t seem to know (or don’t seem to respect) school bus traffic laws. A study showed that 10,600 cars illegally passed school buses each day in the state of Florida. That’s almost two million illegal actions each year.

To determine whether or not drivers were aware of school bus laws and traffic signals, the state issued a survey which was presented to 4,540 motorists over a three-day period. This survey included questions relating to the current school bus traffic guidelines. Results of this assessment showed that many drivers were confused about their legal obligations while on the road in relation to school buses. There was also evidence of confusion about the signals buses use to communicate with other vehicles on the road.

However, the most alarming result of this survey was that most participants did seem to be aware of school bus laws. Officials were able to deduct that driver ignorance only accounted for a limited amount of illegal actions around school buses; most were credited to intentional or irresponsible choices made by drivers. In response, lawmakers were urged to instill more rigid penalties for drivers who illegally passing school buses. The Florida Department of Education also recommended that a greater emphasis be placed on educating new drivers about the laws governing school bus traffic. Although national guidelines monitor the production and regulation of school buses, it is up to the state and individual school districts to oversee and enforce traffic safety related to school buses, including public service announcements, road signs and bus driving signals.

Despite the progress made over the past ten years, there were 158 bus accidents in the 2008-2009 school year in state of Florida. Approximately 25 students died as a result of a school bus accident throughout the United States. One-third of these fatalities were a direct result of motorists failing to stop for school buses on the road. Another third can be credited to drivers who failed to exhibit caution around school bus stops, which are frequented by children on foot before and after school hours. For the safety of students, drivers should exhibit excess caution around school buses, bus stops and loading areas.

Here are the current laws governing school bus traffic:

• If vehicles are moving in the same direction as a school bus, they must always stop when the school bus stops to unload or pick up children.

• Cars must stay stopped until the bus signal has been withdrawn.

• Drivers on both sides of a two-lane or two-way street must stop for a school bus.

• If opposite traffic on a two-way road is separated by a raised barrier or unpaved median that’s at least five feet wide, drivers don’t have to stop for a school bus.

If you have been involved in an accident with a school bus where the driver was acting recklessly, you may be entitled to reparative awards. Please contact Gross & Telisman at your soonest convenience for a complimentary consultation.

Tags: bus accidents, school bus traffic laws, Wrongful Death

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 18th, 2010 at 11:58 am and is filed under Vehicle Accidents. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.