Back to School 2016: As Kids Hit The Books, Hit The Brakes

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Pinellas County is one of three Tampa Bay-area school systems that begin classes on Wednesday, Aug. 10. And law enforcement agencies across all three counties are reminding motorists to take extra care as they hit the road in the morning.

Hillsborough County Schools and Manatee County Schools are also starting school on Aug. 10, which is earlier in the calendar year than usual.

One Pinellas County law enforcement agency, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, will participate in its 11th Annual Back to School Campaign. The campaign reminds motorists to slow down and be aware of pedestrians when school is in session.

More than 150,000 students in St. Petersburg will travel to and from school by bus, bicycle, private vehicle or on foot. An increased volume of traffic couple with the challenges of getting children to school on time often results in accidents, according to St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.

For the first three days of the Pinellas County Public School year, Aug. 10-12, St. Petersburg Fire Rescue personnel will be displaying banners and signs during the morning and afternoon hours.

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman, City Council officials and the St. Petersburg Police Department will also assist with the 2016 Back to School Campaign throughout the city. Kriseman, Police Chief Anthony Holloway and Fire Chief James Large will be participating at Fairmount Park Elementary.

Reminder: Motorists must heed state school bus laws

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office also wants to remind motorists in the Tampa Bay area to remember the rules of the road when they’re around school buses.

“Our deputies will be out in force, in patrol cruisers, motorcycles and unmarked vehicles keeping watch for motorists who don’t know and don’t heed state law regarding stopping for a school bus,” the sheriff’s office warned in a Tuesday e-mail.

The sheriff’s office put together a public service announcement video to give motorists a primer on the state laws. The YouTube short provides motorists all the information they need to safely navigate school-related traffic.

Crossing guards sought in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee

The Hillsborough County, Manatee County and Pinellas County sheriff’s offices are hiring crossing guards for the 2016-17 school year.

Crossing guards in each location help children cross the county’s busiest streets and intersections. The guards also help monitor and report people who violate traffic laws in their location.

For more information about applying for school crossing guard positions, visit the following websites:

• Hillsborough County: http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/getdoc/0b733bd5-af7a-48df-be31-9dd0b6927df9/Crossing-Guards.aspx
• Manatee County: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/manateeso/default.cfm
• Pinellas County: http://www.pcsoweb.com/school-crossing-guards

Pasco and Sarasota County schools start later this month

Pasco County Schools are scheduled to return to school on Monday, Aug. 15 while Sarasota County Schools’ first day of classes is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 22.

The first full day off for the new school year is Monday, Sept. 5 for the Labor Day holiday.

Image via Shutterstock/Video courtesy of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.