Drivers reminded to stop for school buses in Hernando County

BROOKSVILLE, Florida — The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is urging drivers to adhere to traffic laws regarding school buses to ensure the safety of children.According to the Sheriff's Office, any person operating a vehicle on state roads must stop when approaching a school bus displaying a stop signal. The vehicle must remain stopped until the signal is withdrawn. Violating this law constitutes a moving violation, punishable under chapter 318.Drivers passing a school bus on the side where children enter and exit while the bus displays a stop signal face a mandatory hearing under section 318.19. However, vehicles on a divided highway with an unpaved space of at least five feet, a raised median, or a physical barrier are not required to stop when traveling in the opposite direction of a stopped school bus.The Sheriff's Office also noted that school buses must stop as far to the right of the street as possible and display warning lights and stop signals before discharging or loading passengers. Buses should avoid stopping where visibility is obscured for a distance of 200 feet in either direction.