CCSO targets school bus safety zone violations in sting

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NAPLES, Fla.- Collier County deputies are cracking down on drivers endangering the lives of students getting on or off school buses.

“I think it’s crazy that a person would think their personal life is more important than a child getting to school or home safely,” said Chris Wenstrom. “The fact that we’re putting the youth of our nation in danger is concerning really.”

School bus drivers in the county say every day they see drivers who refuse to stop when the bus’ stop sign is out and flashing.

Greg Turchetta, spokesperson for Collier County Public Schools says, “209 of the 250 bus drivers reported a safety zone violation. So when the stop sign comes out, the driver went through it. That’s an alarming number.”

After sharing those statistics with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, officials conducted a sting operation along Golden Gate Boulevard Wednesday morning.

“They brought probably 15 different deputies out in marked and unmarked units and still we had a couple of violators even with that big of a police presence,” Turchetta said. “Don’t make a $163 mistake, that’s what it costs if you get a moving violation for this. Two people found the out the hard way today.”

Some drivers say the fine isn’t worth taking a few extra minutes to stop.

“Absolutely not. Not only are you paying the fine but you’re putting people in danger at the same time,” said Kyle Nestor.

“It should be more than that,” Wenstrom said. “I mean that’s one of the first things we learn when we get our license is to stop for buses.”

Florida law states if you’re behind a school bus with the lights flashing or approaching a school bus on the other side of a two lane road, you must stop when the bus has its stop sign out.

“Our dispatch does a great job of routing these buses because you will never see kids cross in front of the bus and this is part of the reason I believe we haven’t had any tragedy because of this,” Turchetta added.

Florida lawmakers previously considered increasing penalties for drivers who illegally pass school buses but the bill did not pass this year.

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