SAFETY DRIVE SAFELY When approaching a stop sign: Come to a complete stop. Yield to vehicles already in the intersection.Yield to vehicles approaching closely enough to create an immediate hazard. Most Polk County Schools start back August 12. Please use caution when traveling CR 653 during school opening and closing times. Remember, there may be longer than normal wait times in these areas during drop off and pick up times. At left is a reminder of how Florida traffic laws apply to stopping when a bus is displaying a stop signal. GOLF CART REMINDER If you’re letting the kids take the golf cart out for a spin, please remember that anyone between the age of 15 and 18 must hold a valid driver's license or learner’s permit to drive a golf cart on public roads in Florida. For night driving, the golf cart must be equipped with working head lights, turn signals, brake lights and a windshield. Before they leave the house, please be sure everyone is secure (with their own seat) and anyone under 5 should be in a designated child safety seat. And, of course, remind them not to exceed the speed limit, use turn signals and stop at stop signs. NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH (NW) CORNER By Fay Wood, NW Chief KNOW WHO HAS THE RIGHT-OF-WAY Intersections can be one of the most dangerous places on the roadway, especially when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way or misunderstand who should go first. Florida Statutes 316.123 and 316.079 help establish the rules that keep traffic moving safely and reduce the risk of crashes. 18 At a four-way stop: The first vehicle to stop should proceed first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right . When approaching a yield sign: Slow down and be prepared to stop. Yield to traffic already on the roadway. Enter only when it is safe to do so. Failing to yield the right-of-way can lead to serious crashes, injuries, and preventable tragedies. Taking a few extra seconds to determine who has the right-of-way can make all the difference. Be patient. Be courteous. Be safe. WILDLIFE SAFETY Living alongside Florida’s wildlife is part of the state's natural charm, but it requires healthy boundaries. It’s important to treat every body of fresh water as a potential habitat for alligators or snakes, meaning family members should always maintain a safe distance from the water's edge. Never feed wild animals, especially alligators —as it is illegal, disrupts their natural instincts, and poses serious safety risks to neighborhood residents. Keeping pets on short leashes, keeping trash bins properly secured, and admiring the local fauna from a safe distance will help ensure your Florida family vacation is both memorable and safe.
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