Guest Column: Back to School Safety

During this time of the year I would like to remind all of our citizens, as well as visitors, that St. Johns County schools are back in session — which means that our children are going to and from school daily.

I would ask all of you to take extra time and be extremely careful in school zones as well as at bus stops.

Deputies will be at school zones throughout the county to monitor those zones and to issue citations for speeding. Drivers need to be advised that speeding fines are doubled if they occur in a school zone. Motorists should plan on longer commutes and follow the speed limit.

Deputies will be in unmarked vehicles seeking any motorists who pass stopped school buses when they are loading and unloading students. Remember ALL traffic in both directions must come to a complete stop for school buses that are stopped, displaying the “stop” signal. Motorists traveling in the opposite direction are exempt from stopping if the roadway is separated by a median at least five feet wide. These infractions will be strictly enforced.

Take extra precaution at school bus stops where youngsters, possibly riding the bus for the first time, may dart into the street as the bus arrives.

Here are some safety rules to pass along to children that ride a school bus. Arrive at your bus stop at least five minutes early and stand at least ten feet away from the roadway.

Be sure to wait until the bus stops, the door opens and the bus driver says it’s alright to enter before stepping onto the bus.

Be careful that the clothing with drawstrings and book bags with straps or dangling objects do not get caught in the handrail or door when exiting the bus.

Walk in front of the bus; never behind the bus. Remember if you can’t see the bus driver, the bus driver cannot see you.

After getting off the school bus, stop at the edge of the bus and look both ways before crossing.

If you were to drop something beside the bus, make sure to you tell the driver before attempting to pick it up.

Students who walk to school should do so on a sidewalk if it is available. If there is no sidewalk, students should walk against the flow of traffic and be sure to cross at marked crosswalks.

Those who ride a bicycle should remember to ride with the flow of traffic and follow all traffic signs and signals. Remember students should also wear a bicycle helmet.

Now that schools are open for another year, please take the extra time needed and watch out for our most precious resource, our children.

I would like to remind you that there is a wealth of information that you can obtain by visiting our website at www.sjso.org.

Feel free to contact me if you have any concerns or questions about your Sheriff’s Office. My email address is dshoar@sjso.org. I look forward to hearing from you and it is the hope of all of the men and women who are part of your Sheriff’s Office that our children and teachers have a successful school year.

Thank you.

David B. Shoar
St. Johns County Sheriff

Photo credit: © 2010 Historic City News photographer Kerry McGuire