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Don't Zone Out While Driving Near Schools

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 23, 2008

It's 7:30 a. m., and all around me traffic is at a standstill. Intersections are blocked, lanes are clogged and horns can be heard from miles away. No, I'm not in New York City. I am sitting in front of a school crossing zone in Hillsborough County.

It's no surprise the morning commute in Tampa can be stressful. In a rush to work, many drivers forget that children are braving the busy streets on foot and bicycles to make it to school. Stories about children being hit by a car are not rare. Most of the accidents could have been avoided.

It is parents' duty to teach their children how to safely cross the street. There is a misconception that pedestrians always have the right of way. Pedestrians should look both ways before crossing a street to avoid stepping into oncoming traffic. They can't assume a driver will see them and stop. With cell phones, DVD players and other distractions in today's vehicles, it is unlikely a driver will see someone on foot until it is too late.

A crosswalk does not provide free reign of the road. The walk signal must be illuminated for a pedestrian to have right of way. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office provides crossing guards at elementary schools and some middle schools.

The sole purpose of an automobile is for transportation. It's not the place to apply your make-up, fix your hair or send text messages. When you're reading the morning paper from behind the steering wheel, you can't focus on your driving. Lack of attention causes accidents.

Blocking intersections is the No. 1 cause of traffic congestion. It is your responsibility as a driver to ensure you can safely clear the intersection before the light changes. If you can't, then wait. By stopping in the intersection, you haven't gone any farther. The only thing you this accomplishes is the elimination of traffic flow and possibly the addition of four points on your license for a moving violation. If you believe running a red light will get you to work earlier, let me assure you that the extra two minutes you will save won't balance out the $185.50 citation or the possible loss of life.

If you drive past a school zone, please note the decreased speed limit. Most zones range from 15 mph to 25 mph. Speeding fines double in school zones and can exceed $500.

The sheriff's office strives to keep children safe, but their safety is everyone's responsibility. The sheriff's office is looking for crossing guards. If you are interested in earning extra money while keeping children safe, call (813) 247-8115.

Charity Arthur is a patrol deputy for the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in the northwest area of Hillsborough County. If you have questions for her or suggestions for topics for her monthly crime-prevention column, she can be reached at (813) 247-0

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