TALLAHASSEE, FL (WWSB) – August is recognized by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as Child Safety Awareness Month.
Motorists are reminded to focus on child safety. In 2016, around 134,790 children under the age of 18 were involved in crashes in Florida with 161 fatalities.
“Slow down in school zones, follow instructions from crossing guards and properly stop for school buses. No trip in a vehicle is routine, especially with children. Children are observant and modeling safe driving behavior may just save their life down the road,” said DHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes.
Law enforcement issued almost 9,000 citations last year to motorists for not properly securing children in a vehicle.
FHP has members who are car seat certified and, over the past year, has provided 71 car seat safety checks and installations. Motorists may make an appointment and bring their current car seat to a local FHP Troop station for a free car seat check.
“Every student deserves to arrive safely to school,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart.
“With the school year quickly approaching, it is a great time to remind students, parents, educators, and the public to be diligent about safety, particularly around school buses and in school zones.”
First day of school for Manatee County is Aug. 10 and for Sarasota County the first day is Aug. 14.
