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More Attention to School Bus Stop Safety
11/03/09 - 05:53 PM
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Last week’s accident at a Bay County school bus stop draws attention once again to safety.  One child died…her brother was injured and is still recovering.
A Panama City Beach resident contacted News 13 about one particular school bus stop and has a message for motorists.
It happens every school day.  Tandy Tsukanov watches over her granddaughter and other kids at this school bus stop.  Tsukanov says, “these kids need to be safe…at any bus stop not just mine.”

The bus stop is at the entrance of Gulf Highlands Beach Resort on Middle Beach Road.  But, the problem according to Tuskanov is that most times, when the bus stops here many motorists.. don’t.  She says, “and I am afraid we are going to have another accident.”  Tsukanov says she requested help from the Beach Police to watch for violators near the bus stop.  Tuskanov says, “we just started to get them about a month, month and a half ago… we will get an officer out here and they will sit to where they can go and give whoever runs pass the bus a ticket.”  But, on the day we were at the bus stop at drop off time…drivers must have seen the Beach Police and our camera.  Tuskanov says, “And I am very proud to see that.  But, come tomorrow, let’s see if they will do the same thing.”
According to this Florida Statute (316.172): 
-  if you are going the same way as a school bus that is flashing red lights and has the stop arm extended, you must stop behind the bus.
- if you are going the opposite way as a school bus that is flashing red lights and has the stop arm extended, you must stop in front of the bus.

You are permitted to move if:
-you are separated from the bus by a grass or concrete median at least 5 feet wide.
Panama City Beach Police Major David Humphreys tells me.. officers are very active mornings and afternoons during school days and monitor traffic as best they can at different bus stops.  He says if you are caught violating school bus stop laws in Panama City Beach.. expect a ticket and a fine not a warning.

To learn more about school bus stop safety:

Florida Statutes

Safety Tips

Safe Kids