If its tax-free back-to-school shopping, which incidentally ends Sunday, August 6th, school openings for the 2023-2024 year are around the corner. Orange County Public Schools kick off the academic year on Thursday, August 10, 2023.

It’s time for the pitter patter of feet walking, the whizzing of bicycle wheels turning and the humming motor of the big yellow school bus to once again enter our driving world with a vengeance. Over 208,000 students will be traversing sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks and our roads to their respective schools. Navigating through the myriad of  walkers, riders and extra vehicles on the road is a challenge on a good day. But, how well do you know the rules of the road when encountering a school bus?

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Orange County had 103 school bus crashes in 2022 out of approximately 3000 crashes statewide. Many of those are from altercations with other vehicles on the road. How many times have you seen a vehicle zip by a stopped school bus? You are probably seeing school buses now as they practice their routes and prepare for the first day of school. Now is also a good time for you to refamiliarize yourself with the road rules concerning school buses. Here is a graphic that explains what you should do when you approach a school bus loading or unloading students. You may also obtain additional driving tips for child safety by visiting the FLHSMV here. Remember, tickets in school zones or passing a stopped school bus carry a hefty fine.

Welcome to the new school year!