The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office has issued a stern reminder to Florida motorists regarding the importance of stopping for school buses when children are being picked up or dropped off. As highlighted in a recent social media post, drivers must halt for school buses that signal with flashing red lights and an extended STOP arm. According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office post, “In Florida, you MUST stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended STOP arm, regardless of which direction you’re traveling.”
The only exception is when drivers are traveling in the opposite direction and a raised concrete median, physical barrier, or unpaved space at least five feet wide separates traffic. In addition to fines, violations result in four points on a driver’s license and mandatory driver education classes. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said enforcement will be strict to protect children, warning that penalties begin at $265 and rise to $465 for passing on the side where students board or exit the bus…