Media Advisory                                              

For Immediate Release
August 3, 2005
Contact: Catherine Dokey
Public Information Officer
(850) 651-7420 

Back to School Reminders

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office works extremely hard with the Okaloosa County School Board to implement new programs and provide students with the safest learning environment through our School Resource Officer Program.  There are currently twenty dedicated officers that are placed in all middle and high schools in the county.  There are also two officers assigned to the University of West Florida/Okaloosa Walton College Fort Walton Beach Campus.

As students prepare to return to school, Okaloosa County Sheriff Charlie Morris encourages parents and students to contact their School Resource Officer at any time for any reason.  The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office also reminds motorists to slow down and be alert for school zones and school buses.

The fine for failing to stop for a school bus in Okaloosa County is $152.50.  Motorists are prohibited by state law to pass a school bus that is displaying a “stop” signal.  All traffic in both directions must come to a complete stop for school buses that are stopped, displaying the “stop” signal.  Traffic traveling in the opposite direction is exempt from stopping if the roadway is separated by a fence or other physical barrier or by an unpaved median at least five feet wide.

In Okaloosa County , school zone speeding fines range from $102.50 for exceeding a school zone speed limit by less than 10 miles per hour to $552.50 for 30 miles per hour or more above the limit.  Motorists are issued a citation if they are speeding in a school zone by state law. 

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