When Central Florida students flood their classrooms in August, they will be accompanied by a wave of additional traffic, more pedestrians and bicyclists, and, of course, the reappearance of school buses. All this extra activity on our roadways — compounded by the presence of excited children — makes back to school a great time for motorists to study up on some key safety points:

• Be on heightened lookout for children near schools, bus stops, school buses, and neighborhood areas.
• Expect children on bicycles to make sudden changes in direction or even to take a tumble.
• Pay attention to lower speed limits in school zones, and avoid blocking crosswalks, changing lanes, making U-turns, and passing other vehicles.
• Watch for school crossing guards and always obey their instructions.
• Put down your phone/go hands-free. Florida law prohibits holding your phone in school zones.

School bus safety is a particular cause for concern, and sometimes confusion, for motorists. For example, did you know that the only time traffic approaching does not need to stop for an oncoming school bus with its red lights flashing is if there is a raised barrier such as a concrete divider or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the lanes of traffic? (But you should still watch for students, regardless.)

Here are more bus safety specifics:

• Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and stop arms extended (except as noted above).
• Drivers moving in either direction on a two-way street must stop for a school bus displaying a stop signal and must remain stopped until the road is clear of children and the school bus stop arm is withdrawn.

Finally, remember that children and school buses can be present in roadway construction sites and on neighboring streets, adding to the inherent hazards. Back to school is a great time to research your route in advance to steer clear of work zones, anticipate lane closures, etc. We recommend signing up for our construction alerts and updates and then going through these work-zone safety concepts for even more safe-driving tips. Drivers who take the time to learn and follow safe-driving guidelines can help keep children out of danger during back to school — and all year round.