Osceola County school buses equipped with new safety lights

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The Osceola County School District is continuing its effort to improve safety for students who ride the bus to and from school.

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They’ve launched a new safety light program for school buses meant to make them more visible, particularly in low-light areas along rural routes in the Holopaw, Yeehaw Junction and Kenansville areas.

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Only 10 buses will have the lights equipped to start the school year.

The company that installed them, First Light Safety Products, says the lights are visible from more than 1,000 feet away in both low-light and severe weather conditions and are readable from more than 300 feet away.

“These lights will help keep drivers aware as they are approaching a bus early in the morning and in the evenings,” Communications Specialist for the school district’s transportation services Zach Downes said in a statement.

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The district recently announced another new program meant to improve safety for bus riders.

Their Student Ridership Program will go into effect on August 10, the first day of the school year.

With it, each school bus in the district will be fitted with a tablet next to the door where students will be required to scan their ID cards when they get on and off the bus.

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School administrators will then be able to monitor when and where students are getting on and off the buses, making sure they’re getting to school and back home safely.

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