Two recent crashes involving Duval County school buses that sent several students to the hospital raised questions about the rules of the road for other drivers around buses.
And also the consequences for commercial drivers involved in crashes. One of the crashes involved a tractor-trailer slamming into the back of a bus stopped at a railroad crossing.
Attorney Millicent Daniels joined us for our Justice 4 All segment on The Morning Show to share some answers to those questions.
NOTE: Press play above to watch our full interview
She explained that Florida law requires all school buses to stop at all railroad crossings, whether a train is nearby or not.
“They have to stop, and I’m talking about a full and complete stop, not a rolling stop,” Daniels said. “So when you see an actual school bus, understand and anticipate they’re going to need to stop. Once they come to the full and complete stop, then they’re going to look and listen to check to see if a train is coming.”
Daniels said only then can the driver cross the railroad tracks, so it’s incumbent on other drivers behind them to be patient.
She also explained that commercial drivers who hold CDL licenses in Florida are held to a higher standard.
“Because they are driving very large commercial vehicles that can pose much more threat here on our roadways,” Daniels said. “So things like careless driving or reckless driving can result in suspensions.”
She said that, depending on the violation, a CDL driver could have their license suspended for anywhere from 60 to 120 days.
“So it’s important for CDL drivers to drive safely so that they can go ahead and keep their driving record clean because that’s how they make a living, and it could directly affect their livelihood,” Daniels said.
Justice 4 All is proudly #sponsored by Daniels Law Firm, helping Florida families better understand their rights and legal options.