Driver's Reckless Pass Sparks Safety Alert

Duval County Public Schools is emphasizing the critical need for driver caution around school buses following a recent near-miss incident. A video recorded on August 19 clearly shows a vehicle disregarding a stopped school bus, extending its stop signs and flashing lights on North Jefferson Street, west of Downtown Jacksonville. The car proceeded past the first stop sign, only to brake abruptly as a student crossed the street.

School officials, including DCPS Director of Transportation Chayla Ferguson and DCPS Police Chief Jackson Short, stressed that stopping for school buses is not optional. They highlighted that the incident narrowly avoided a tragedy and serves as a wake-up call. Since the start of the school year on August 10, nearly 4,000 citations for stop-arm violations have been approved.

Florida statutes, supported by SB 994, legally require drivers to stop for school buses with activated red lights and flashing stop signs. Penalties for violations are established, and stop-arm camera technology is authorized. Drivers must come to a complete stop in all directions, except on divided highways separated by a physical median. Further details on the district's stop-arm camera program are available on the DCPS website.