What is the story about?
Thousands
of Sarasota and Manatee County students return to school Aug. 10. Here's what drivers need to know about school zones, buses and other back-to-school safety reminders.
Sarasota County
- School zones: The Sarasota Police Department has a zero-tolerance policy for speeding in school zones. School zone speed cameras are active Monday through Friday during school hours. Drivers traveling more than 10 mph over the posted school zone speed limit will receive a citation. Fines range from $156 to $456. Note that some city school zones are posted at 15 mph and others at 20 mph — know the limit before you drive.
- School buses: Stop for all school buses when the stop sign is extended and red lights are flashing — even if the bus is on the opposite side of the road. The only exception is a raised median wider than four feet. Fines for illegally passing a school bus range from $156 to $456.
- No phones: Using a wireless device in a handheld manner in any active school zone is against Florida law.
- Seat belts: All passengers must be buckled. Florida law requires all passengers under 18 to wear a seatbelt or be properly restrained in a child safety seat.
- Construction awareness: Roadway construction is active in several parts of the city. Drivers are urged to stay aware of changing speed limits and conditions near school zones.
- Give yourself extra time: Traffic near schools will be significantly heavier starting Monday. Leave early and watch for children walking, biking and boarding buses.
For questions contact the Sarasota Police Department Public Information Office at SPDNews@SarasotaFL.gov or 941-263-6099.
Manatee County
- School zones: School zone speed camera enforcement resumes Monday in the City of Bradenton and Holmes Beach. Note: Manatee County's countywide school zone camera program has ended, but city cameras remain active. Drivers traveling more than 10 mph over the posted limit may receive a $100 civil citation. Enforcement times vary by school and are posted on signs in each zone.
- School buses: Manatee County is running 110 bus routes this year — up from 100 last year. Drivers must stop for all school buses on two-lane roads and on multi-lane roads divided by a painted center line or center turn lane — traffic in both directions must stop. On divided highways with a raised median at least five feet wide, only vehicles behind the bus must stop.
- E-bikes and e-motos: The Manatee County Sheriff's Office is ramping up enforcement and education around high-powered electric bikes ahead of the school year. Some e-motos are legally classified as motor vehicles under Florida law, cannot be ridden on sidewalks and require a driver's license. Deputies will be stopping and citing riders who violate the law. When in doubt, walk the device on campus.
- No phones: Using a wireless device in a handheld manner in any active school zone is against Florida law.
- Seat belts: All passengers must be buckled. Florida law requires all passengers under 18 to wear a seatbelt or be properly restrained in a child safety seat.
- Give yourself extra time: Officials recommend leaving home a few minutes earlier each morning and eliminating all distractions during the commute. Stay alert for children crossing streets, waiting at bus stops and riding bikes near intersections.
For Manatee County transportation questions call 941-782-1287 or visit manateeschools.net. To track your student's bus in real time, download the Where's the Bus app and check your Focus portal transportation tab regularly.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: How to stay safe during the first week of school in Sarasota, Manatee
