Deputies cracked down this week on drivers who failed to stop for school buses, handing out dozens of citations.
And motorists can expect similar crackdowns throughout the school year.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office launched the effort, using unmarked vehicles, in response to a recent increase in vehicles passing school buses that are stopped to load or unload children.
Special traffic details were conducted in Golden Gate and Golden Gate Estates.
The three-day effort appeared to pay off.
The bulk of the citations were issued the first day of the crackdown. By the end of the week, deputies did not see any motorists passing stopped school buses.
“Although today we did write several citations for speeding near school bus stops, it appeared that our increased focus on this violation helped tremendously,’’ Cpl. Bill Palya of the Sheriff’s Office’s Safety Traffic Enforcement Bureau said Friday.
An unmarked Sheriff’s Office car followed multiple buses along their routes during various times of embarkation for high school, elementary and middle schools.
The details were conducted at:
Golden Gate Parkway between Livingston Road and Santa Barbara Boulevard
Golden Gate Boulevard West from Wilson Boulevard to 13th Street Northwest
Golden Gate Boulevard West from 13th Street Northwest to 31st Street Northwest
“It was unfortunate to observe the blatant disregard by several motorists while the school bus was stopped and children were in the process of boarding,” said Sgt. Chris Gonzalez.
Here’s a breakdown of the citations issued on Wednesday, the first day of the crackdown:
9 for passing a stopped school bus
14 for unlawful speeds near school bus stops
2 for aggressive driving
2 for failing to stop at a stop sign
In addition, one motorist was arrested for operating a motor vehicle without a driver’s license.
