On Monday August 18, the Columbia County schools are back in session and that means the familiar sight of yellow school buses, crossing guards, and lots of children.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will be out in force making a concerted effort to remind drivers of the hazards and encouraging them to slow down during morning and afternoon pickup and release times.
Drivers are reminded that they are to stop while the buses are loading or unloading. Florida State Statute 316.172 states; “Any person using, operating or driving a vehicle on or over the roads or highways of this state shall, upon approaching any school bus which displays a stop signal, bring such vehicle to a full stop while the bus is stopped, and the vehicle shall not pass the school bus until the signal has been withdrawn. “
Section 2 of that statute covers divided highways; “The driver of a vehicle upon a divided highway with an unpaved space of at least 5 feet, a raised median, or a physical barrier is not required to stop when traveling in the opposite direction of the school bus which is stopped”¦”
