ORLANDO, Fla.- – With a new school year underway, drivers are adjusting to seeing more kids near busy roadways.
Kids are frequently traveling on roadways between home and school, which means drivers need to be more aware and cautious.
Recommended Videos
"You've got to remember while driving to and from wherever we're going in the morning or early afternoon, that children have a mind of their own. They're not really focused on the safety of things," said Steven Montiero, a Florida Highway Patrol safety officer.
Montiero said drivers should anticipate that kids aren't necessarily taking a "safety first" approach.
"They want to get home. They want to play outside. They want to do their thing. They may dart out into the road. They may take a different route than what you're used to seeing. Just be aware is what we're asking," he said.
Along with being aware, Montiero suggested that drivers should also give kids ample space. If a child is crossing the road, don't get too close. This is especially important near designated crosswalks, and there are clear markings to help drivers know exactly how close to get.
The marking on the road is the stop bar, and it is important for drivers to obey the distance given.
"The stop bar is there, and it's called the stop bar for a reason. It's not for you to proceed any further. It's a nice safe distance between that stop bar and the cross walk. It allows the crossing guards to protect that barrier," he said.
Any time a driver is going through a school zone or residential area, it is important for drivers to expect the unexpected when it comes to kids near the road.