Back to School, Back to Safety

As the summer heat still simmers and the school bells start to ring again, Florida's roads are about to get a little busier — and a whole lot more unpredictable. From yellow buses making frequent stops to kids on bikes and distracted parents in drop-off lines, it's officially Back-to-School season, and that means it’s time to sharpen not just pencils, but also our driving awareness. August 11, 2025, is the official start of the school year for both Volusia and Flagler County students!

Let’s talk safety — from the driver’s seat.

🚍 School Buses: Rolling Yellow Safety Zones

You know the rule: If a school bus stops and extends its stop sign, you stop. No exceptions — unless you’re on a divided highway with an unpaved space of at least five feet, a raised median, or a physical barrier. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter which direction you're headed — you stop. Why? Because children don’t always look both ways, but we can.

Reminder: Failing to stop for a school bus in Florida can cost you a $400 fine and 4 points on your license. More importantly, it could cost a life.

🚸 School Zones: Slow Down, Save Lives

Those flashing lights in a school zone aren’t just for decoration — they’re flashing for you. Florida law mandates you slow down to 15–20 mph, depending on the zone. These areas are often packed with students, crossing guards, and bikes.

Speeding through a school zone? That could set you back $100 to $600 in fines — not to mention the guilt if something happens. So, ease off the gas. You're not just driving; you're protecting.

📵 Heads Up, Phones Down

Florida is a hands-free state in school and construction zones. That text can wait. If you’re caught holding a phone in a school zone, you’re looking at a $60 fine, and that’s before the insurance points pile on.

So go hands-free, eyes-wide, and fully focused.

🚶 Crosswalk Courtesy Is Mandatory

Crosswalks near schools are high-traffic zones for kids who may not have mastered the art of pedestrian safety yet. As drivers, we need to anticipate the unexpected — a student chasing a soccer ball, a parent distracted by a toddler, or a teenager nose-deep in their phone.

Tip: If you see a crossing guard, stop when they signal. They're the official traffic conductors of safety — let them lead.

🕖 Patience in the Pickup Line

Yes, it's long. Yes, it’s slow. Yes, someone will try to cut. But remember: the pickup line is a hotbed of emotions, car horns, and tired kids. Keep your cool. Stay in your lane — literally and figuratively — and remember why you’re there: to help kids get home safe.

💭 Final Thought: You’re the Adult in the Room — or at Least on the Road

Back-to-school season isn’t just about supply lists and early alarms. For drivers, it's a call to attention, a test of patience, and a promise to protect.

Drive safe — class is officially in session on August 11^th. 🏫🚦

Want more information on school and student safety? Click here to go to the Florida Department of Education's Safe Schools website.

National Stop on Red Week

This August, the Volusia-Flagler TPO is proudly participating in National Stop on Red Week 2025 — a nationwide campaign dedicated to saving lives by raising awareness about the dangers of red-light running.

Launched by the Federal Highway Administration, Stop on Red Week serves as a powerful reminder that safe choices behind the wheel can prevent real tragedies.

Here’s why it matters:

• In 2022, 1,149 people were killed in crashes involving red-light running.

• That same year, over 107,000 people were injured in these preventable collisions.

• Nearly half of those killed were not the violators — they were pedestrians, cyclists, and other innocent road users.

• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that urban red-light crashes are among the most likely to cause injuries.

• According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1 in 3 Americans know someone who has been hurt or killed in a red-light running crash.

That’s why the Volusia-Flagler TPO is urging drivers to make one simple commitment that can save lives: Always Stop on Red.

Stop on Red Week Event Scheduled

The Volusia-Flagler TPO, in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation and the National Coalition for Safer Roads, will be holding a Stop on Red Week event on:

DATE: Thursday, August 7, 2025

TIME: 9:00 am - 10:30 am

LOCATION: At the intersection of East International Speedway Boulevard & Beach Street in Daytona Beach

A press conference is scheduled for 9:00 am, followed by a sign-waving demonstration. Come out and join us - you can volunteer or just simply show your support by being present.

New TPO Office Location and Contact Information

This is a reminder that the Volusia-Flagler TPO office has moved to the Cornerstone Office Park, located at the southwest corner of LPGA Boulevard and Williamson Boulevard. We are on the second floor of the 1540 Cornerstone Building. In addition to our address change, our phone number has also changed to 386-271-0249. For the location of the TPO's meetings during the month of August, please check the TPO's online calendar at www.vftpo.org/events/calendar.

On the Move: July TPO Adventures in Outreach

A Safety Stop in Southeast Volusia

On July 11, a community-focused bicycle safety presentation was given at the New Smyrna Beach Library, drawing children, teens, and parents eager to learn more about safe riding habits. The session, led by TPO staff, covered key topics including the rules of the road for bicyclists, how to navigate intersections, visibility tips, and the importance of always wearing a helmet. Engaging visuals, including an age-appropriate video that showed real-life scenarios, and an interactive Q&A session kept the audience engaged and attentive.

Following the presentation, 21 children and teens were individually fitted with properly sized bicycle helmets. Each fitting ensured the "2-2-2 rule" was applied: two fingers above the eyebrows, two fingers under the chin strap, and two fingers around the ears. The event not only reinforced the importance of bike safety but also equipped participants with the tools—both educational and physical—to ride confidently and responsibly.

Volusia-Flagler 2050 Update

The Volusia-Flagler 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) is well underway. The plan is being developed to:

• Identify future needs and improvements for pedestrian, bicycle, transit, highway, and freight mobility
• Guide the expenditure of transportation funds
• Ensure new transportation improvements meet community values
• Prioritize transportation projects
• Promote safe and efficient transportation services

On July 10, the TPO held a virtual public meeting on the draft Cost Feasible Plan (CFP) to solicit comments. The meeting is available to view on demand at the link below:

View the Draft Cost Feasible Plan Public Meeting

View the Presentation Slides

Click here to see all the ways you can provide input.

Vision Zero Action Plan

Just because we have adopted our Vision Zero Action Plan (VZAP) doesn't mean we are finished! We are committed to eliminating traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries in our community by 2050.

To keep you informed and involved, we have launched an interactive StoryMap — a dynamic tool you can access anytime. Here’s what you’ll find on the StoryMap:

✅ Progress updates

📊 Key performance metrics

🏗 Project milestones

🔎 Opportunities for improvement

Our Goal? A safer, more sustainable transportation future for everyone with zero fatalities and serious injuries on our roads.

Your voice and your eyes on this process matter—transparency and collaboration are how we get there. Take a look, explore the data, and be part of what we are doing: StoryMap Link

Vision Zero is based on the idea that traffic fatalities and serious injuries are preventable, and the only acceptable number of traffic fatalities and serious injuries is zero. Vision Zero requires a fundamental change in how we think about traffic safety and planning. To view the TPO's Vision Zero Action Plan, click the link below:

Vision Zero Action Plan

August Calendar of Activities

* Meeting held at the TPO office (1540 Cornerstone Blvd. Suite 240, Daytona Beach)

** Meeting held in the Airline Room at Daytona Beach Int'l Airport (700 Catalina Dr. Daytona Beach)

*** For the location of the August CAC, TCC, and TPO Board meetings, please check the TPO's online calendar at www.vftpo.org/events/calendar.

August TPO Board and

Advisory Committee Activities

During August, the TPO Board and advisory committees will take action on a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) amendment, Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) amendment, and a resolution of support for the widening of the I-4 bridge over the St Johns River in Volusia County. A presentation will be given on the draft Volusia-Flagler 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).

Additional information on TPO Board and advisory committee agendas and meeting locations is available at TPO Agendas, and information on the TPO's community outreach/activities can be viewed at Outreach & Activities.