Shine Bright back-to-school drive and Florida school safety

The Shine Bright Back to School Drive was our summer 2024 school supply drive, collecting backpacks, notebooks and classroom basics so local students could start the year ready to learn. Alongside the drive, here's a back-to-school safety guide for Florida families covering school bus stops, school zones, walking, biking and drop-off lines.

About the Shine Bright Back to School Drive

From July 1 to August 2, 2024, Sunshine State Law Firm collected school supply donations for students in our community. The goal was simple: help every child walk into the first day of school with the tools they need and the confidence that comes with them.

Neighbors could drop off donations at our office at 631 S. Orlando Ave., Suite 400, in Winter Park, and we offered to pick up donations within a reasonable distance for anyone who couldn't make it in.

What we collected

We asked for the classroom basics students go through fastest:

• #2 pencils, erasers and scissors
• Crayons, markers, colored pencils and dry-erase markers
• Glue bottles and glue sticks
• Notebook paper, spiral notebooks and notecards
• 1-inch binders, dividers and pocket folders
• Backpacks
• Tissues, hand sanitizer and zip-top bags

Thank you to everyone who donated. Community work like this is part of why we do what we do. Our clients are our neighbors, and we want them to know us before they ever need a lawyer.

Back-to-school safety for Florida families

The first weeks of school bring a big change to Florida roads. Buses are back, school zones are active again, and thousands of kids are walking, biking and waiting at bus stops in the early morning dark. A little planning goes a long way.

Know Florida's school bus stop law

When a school bus stops and shows its stop signal (the flashing red lights and extended stop arm), Florida law generally requires drivers to stop in both directions. That includes multi-lane roads and roads with a center turn lane.

The only common exception is a divided highway. If a raised or unpaved median at least 5 feet wide, or a physical barrier, separates you from the bus, drivers going the opposite direction don't have to stop. They should still slow down and watch for children.

Stay stopped until the stop arm is pulled back and the lights turn off. Kids crossing to or from the bus may not look before they step out.

Slow down in school zones

School zones have reduced speed limits during posted hours, usually when the yellow lights are flashing. A few habits help:

• Put the phone down. Florida law prohibits using a handheld phone while driving through a school zone or school crossing.
• Watch for crossing guards and follow their signals.
• Expect speed cameras. Some Florida cities and counties now use speed detection cameras in school zones, so tickets can arrive by mail.
• Give extra time. Morning traffic near schools moves slowly in August. Leaving 10 minutes earlier takes the pressure off.

Bus stop safety for kids

Talk through these with your kids before the first day:

1. Get to the stop a few minutes early so there's no running to catch the bus.
2. Stand well back from the curb while the bus pulls up.
3. Wait until the bus stops completely and the driver signals before walking toward it.
4. If you have to cross the street, cross in front of the bus, far enough ahead that the driver can see you.
5. Never go back for a dropped item near the bus. Tell the driver instead.

If your child's stop is in the dark, a reflective strip on their backpack or a small clip-on light makes them easier for drivers to see.

Walking and biking to school

Walk the route with your child before school starts and point out the safest places to cross. Younger kids should walk with an adult or a group.

For bike riders, Florida law requires a helmet for anyone under 16. Make sure it fits snugly and sits level on the forehead. Teach kids to ride in the same direction as traffic, use hand signals, and walk the bike across busy intersections.

Drop-off and pickup lines

Car lines are busy and full of distracted adults. Follow your school's traffic pattern, keep your speed to a crawl, and let kids out only in the designated area, on the curb side. Florida generally requires children 5 and under to ride in a car seat or booster seat, and safety groups recommend kids under 13 ride in the back seat.

Heat and storms

Florida's school year starts in the hottest part of summer and in the middle of hurricane season. Send a refillable water bottle, watch for signs of heat exhaustion after outdoor recess or practice, and check how your school shares weather closures and early dismissals.

If your family is hurt in a school-zone crash

Most school days end without incident. But if your child or someone in your family is hurt by a careless driver near a school or bus stop, get medical care first, even if the injury seems minor. Kids don't always say when something hurts. Our guide on whether to go to the hospital after a car accident explains why early care matters for both health and any claim.

When you're ready to talk about what happened, we're here, in English or Spanish. You can learn more about the injury cases we handle.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to stop for a school bus on a four-lane road in Florida?

Usually, yes. If there's no raised or unpaved median at least 5 feet wide, or a physical barrier, separating you from the bus, Florida generally requires drivers in both directions to stop when the bus shows its stop signal. Stay stopped until the stop arm retracts.

Can I use my phone in a Florida school zone?

Not while holding it. Florida law bans handheld phone use while driving in school zones and school crossings. Hands-free use is allowed, but the safest choice is to keep your attention on the road until you're clear of the zone, since children can step out unexpectedly.

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The start of a school year is a fresh beginning for Florida kids. Thank you to everyone who helped make the Shine Bright drive possible, and to every driver who slows down for school buses and crossing guards. Here's to a safe, bright school year.