Slow Down, School is Back in Session

Drivers couldn't miss the Gulfport Fire Department's message on Gulfport Boulevard on Monday. After all, it was posted on the brand new engine off Gulfport Boulevard and 52nd St. S., near Gulfport Elementary.

Gulfport Fire Chief James Marenkovic says firefighters park on Gulfport Boulevard every year to remind drivers to pay attention and be safe because school is back in session.

Monday was the first day back to class for students at Gulfport Elementary and Boca Ciega High School.

Marenkovic says at least half of the drivers he observed Monday morning were on their cell phones in the school zone. He urges drivers to leave their phone alone, drive safe and leave early so you have plenty of time to drive through school zones.

He says students should leave early too, wear proper shoes if you're going to walk to school and pay attention to cross walks and crossing guards.

Crossing Guard Brenda Boykins says drivers must yield to people in the crosswalks and pay attention to the posted speed limit. Her advice for children; wear a bike helmet.

She says about 80 percent of the students on bikes do not have helmets and they should because for anyone under 16, it's the law.

According to the Florida Department of Transportation, head injuries account for one third of hospital emergency room visits for bicycle-related injuries.

Year after year Boykins has informed children of the law and referred them to the Gulfport Police Department for more information.

What Drivers Need to Know:

Stop for School Buses: Florida Motor Vehicles laws require that drivers stop if they approach any school bus that displays its flashing red lights and has its stop signs extended. The only exception is when a vehicle is traveling in the opposite direction of the school bus on a divided highway with an unpaved space of at least five feet or on a divided highway with a raised median or a physical barrier.

Passing illegally on the left hand side carries a $165 fine for the first offense; passing on the right will cost drivers $265.

Don't Speed: The fine for speeding through a school zone is doubled and can reach $555.50 if you’re caught driving 30 mph over the speed limit.

For More Information:

Gulfport Police Department

Florida Department of Transportation:

• Traffic Laws for Bicyclists

Florida Department of Motor Vehicles:

• School Zone Speed Limits

"Stop on Red, Kids Ahead" campaign