Everything changes Monday.
To the school year.
The 2026-27 academic year begins in the morning, with buses, walkers, riders and cars headed to nearly 100 schools across Osceola County. That will put lots of extra traffic on the roads, sidewalks and bike paths during the same morning commute as usual, and create an early-afternoon one as well.
According to AAA, the commutes has gotten even more complex with e-bikes and scooters.
""Drivers aren’t just watching for students on foot and children getting on or off school buses," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. "When you combine that with distracted driving and speeding, the consequences can be devastating. “E-bikes and scooters can travel at speeds that catch riders and drivers off guard. As e-ride usage increases, so have the number of serious injuries and deaths. If your child plans to e-ride to school, we encourage parents to teach safe riding habits before the first day.”
School buses will be on the road as early as the sunup hours, with high-school students waiting at bus stops in near dark even before that.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the minimum fine in Florida for passing a stopped school bus is $265, which can increase to a minimum of $465 and 4 points added to your driver license if you pass on the side where children enter and exit. Fines can vary or start around $225 to $255 if captured by a school bus camera system, while officer-witnessed moving violations carry stricter penalties and four points on your driver license.
When You Must Stop:
- Two-Lane or Multi-Lane Undivided Road: All traffic in both directions must stop.
- Divided Highway: Only vehicles traveling behind the school bus must stop if there is a physical barrier, raised median, or unpaved space at least 5 feet wide separating the opposing lanes.
Be aware that pedestrians crossing and crosswalks have the right of way.
"To our parents and motorists: please slow down in school zones, start alert and help make keep our children safe as the travel to and from school every day," Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon said. "We hope everyone has a safe and outstanding school year."
