JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Before the sun rises, while most of the city is still asleep, Melvin Porchia is already inspecting his bus.
Tires. Brakes. Mirrors. Lights.
“Every morning before a bus goes out, we do what’s called a pre-check,” said John Ziegler, Director of Business Development for Durham School Services. “Drivers inspect the whole bus to make sure it’s safe — and they do this before every single route.”
Porchia, who’s spent a decade driving students to and from school, said the routine never gets old — because the stakes never change.
“We’re taking care of their most prized possession,” Porchia said. “So whenever we’re taking them to school or back home, we take our time and treat them like they’re our own.”
This week marks National School Bus Safety Week, and in Duval County, it’s not just a formality — it’s a reminder that safety is a shared responsibility.
Ziegler said while school buses remain the safest way for students to get to and from school, much of that safety comes down to the people behind the wheel — and the drivers’ ability to manage both the road and what’s happening behind them.
“Imagine driving this bus with 30 or 50 kids behind you,” he said. “Drivers have a tough job. They have to manage traffic and manage students — so we ask parents to help reinforce safe behavior.”
New technology adds another layer of security
Duval County Public Schools recently invested in a student swipe-in system, which helps track which students get on and off each bus.
“When they get on the bus, they swipe on. When they get off, they swipe off,” Ziegler said. “So we know who’s on board, and who isn’t.”
He said the system has already proven useful.
“In one case, a child was thought to be missing,” Ziegler recalled. “We checked the swipe system and realized the student never got on the bus — and was still at an afterschool program.”
While drivers like Porchia are trained extensively and follow strict procedures, he said the greatest risk often comes from other people on the road.
“There are a lot of people who want to text and drive,” he said. “They’re not paying attention, and they drift into other lanes or past stopped buses.”
Ziegler echoed that concern, adding that Florida law requires drivers to stop completely when a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. It is illegal — and dangerous — to pass a stopped school bus.
School bus safety reminders
For drivers:
- Stop for school buses with flashing red lights and extended stop arms.
- Never pass a stopped school bus.
- Stay alert in school zones and near bus stops.
For students:
- Arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes early.
- Stay 10 feet from the curb while waiting.
- Only board when the bus has fully stopped and the driver signals.
- Stay seated and face forward while the bus is moving.
- Cross the street in front of the bus, never behind.
For Parents:
- Reinforce safe bus habits with your children.
- Be mindful of your driving near school zones and bus stops.
- Take time to thank your child’s bus driver.