for immediate release
August 4, 2004
N E W S R E L E A S E
With school starting, Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris reminds motorists to be alert for school zones and School Busses.
Florida Law imposes higher fines for school-related traffic violations. School zone speeding fines in Okaloosa County range from $102.50 for exceeding a school zone speed limit by less than 10 miles per hour to $552.50 for 30 MPH or more above the limit. State law specifies citations, not warnings, for school zone speeders.
The fine for failing to stop for a school bus in Okaloosa County is $152.50. State law prohibits passing a school bus that is displaying a "stop" signal. All traffic in both directions must stop for stopped school busses, displaying the "stop" signal. There is one exception to that rule: traffic traveling in the opposite direction need not stop if the roadway is separated by a fence or other physical barrier or by an unpaved median at least five feet wide.
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for more information contact Sgt. Rick Hord, Public Information Officer
(850) 651-7420