Saturday, August 22, 2015

Back to School!

Back to school is fast approaching!  Just around the corner, you will be seeing those familiar yellow school buses and those school zones that will be a part of the Tampa Bay region commute.

For the majority of the Tampa Bay region, the 2015-2016 school year starts on Monday, 24 August 2015 for Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Manatee Counties.  The only exception is Hillsborough County which starts school on Tuesday, 25 August 2015.  Citrus County has already begun the 2015-2016 school year on Monday, 10 August 2015.

Now do you know what you need to do as a driver when you see a school bus.  You're on your way to work, and the school bus ahead of you slows down and then the yellow flashers come on first and then the red flashers along with the stop signs that extend from the school bus.  What do you do when you are faced with a stopped school bus?

If you are on a two lane road, traffic in both directions must come to a complete stop.  Remain in place until the school bus driver has turned off the red signals and retracted the stop signs.

If you are on a four or more lane road and the center is paved, such as a continuous left turn lane, traffic in both directions must come to a complete stop.  Remain in place until the school bus driver has turned off the red signals and retracted the stop signs.

However, if you are on a four or more lane road and the center is unpaved for at least five feet or if there is a physical barrier such as a Jersey barrier wall between the opposing roadways, only traffic traveling in the same direction as the school bus must come to a complete stop.  Remain in place until the school bus driver has turned off the red signals and retracted the stop signs.  Traffic going the opposite direction of the school bus need not stop, but reduced speed is called for as children may be around in the area where the school bus stops.

As our children make their way back to school for the new school year, please resist the urge to pass a stopped school bus especially if you are in a hurry to be somewhere such as work.  Passing a stopped school bus can cost you a $271.00 ticket and if you pass a stopped school bus on the side where children get on or off, it becomes a mandatory court appearance which can result in a much larger fine.

Now if you are driving near a school, more than likely the 15 mph school zone will be in effect with the yellow blinkers flashing.  If you encounter an active school zone, reduce your speed to 15 mph and do not go any faster until you reach the end school zone sign.  In addition, be sure to obey any signals from the on duty school crossing guard.  Remember, speeding fines are doubled for school zones starting at 1 mph over the school zone speed limit (starting at $156.00 in Pinellas County), so don't think about trying to be in a hurry to be somewhere.

So, if we know the basics of what you need to do when you see a school bus or if you drive near a school zone and see the school zone activated, we can get the 2015-2016 school year off to a great start for our children!
 

Monday, August 3, 2015

Driving in Adverse Weather Conditions

With the recent rains and street flooding that is affecting the Tampa Bay region, here are some safety reminders for when you are out and about in this weather:

1.  Most importantly, if you do not have to be somewhere, stay where you are.  However, if evacuation orders due to flooding are issued, please comply with the instructions of local authorities in your area.

2.  If you have to be out and about, please be careful out there.  If you encounter any flooded street, do not attempt to drive through it - the water depth is unknown and you can stall out in flood waters.  Instead, turn around and find an alternate route.  Just ask motorists who try to traverse Dale Mabry Highway at Henderson Blvd. in Tampa during heavy rains!

3.  When you are out there on Interstate 275 or any other highway in the Tampa Bay region, if you encounter any rain it's low beam headlights and wipers time, not emergency flashers time.  First, Florida law requires your low beam headlights on when it is raining.  Second, hazard emergency flashers especially when you are moving is not only dangerous (someone can rear end you not knowing that you are slowed down), it is illegal by Florida law as well.

4.  If it gets to the point that you cannot see ahead of you, simply pull into a public place such as a gas station or a convenience store and wait it out until the rain slows down.

5.  Give driving your 100 percent attention, especially during adverse weather.  That important phone call or text message can wait until you have safely arrived at your destination.

6.  If your travel plans include the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, be aware that the Florida Highway Patrol can close the bridge in the event winds on the top of the main span exceed 40 mph.  A check of the variable message signage on Interstate 275 as you approach the Sunshine Skyway or with Florida 511 is highly recommended.

Just follow these recommendations for when you go out and about in adverse weather including the adverse weather that is impacting the Tampa Bay region and you're good to go!