About 220 Lake County school buses will hit the road as early as 5:30am Aug. 10 as students return to classrooms for the first day of the 2026-27 school year.

Ahead of the first day, the Lake County Schools Transportation Department has been preparing drivers and monitors through workshops focused on safety procedures, best practices and professional development.

Drivers will also take to the roads this year with a new safety tool designed to protect students getting on and off school buses.

Lake County school buses will be equipped with stop-arm safety cameras intended to increase awareness of the critical need for motorists to stop when students are loading or unloading and promote compliance with Florida’s school bus safety laws.

When a school bus stop-arm is extended and its warning lights are activated, the camera system automatically detects and records vehicles that pass within the enforcement zone. Images and video captured by the system are reviewed by law enforcement before a warning notice or citation is issued.

The enforcement program will begin with a monthlong warning period Sept. 9 through Oct. 9. During that time, motorists observed illegally passing a stopped school bus will receive a warning notice rather than a citation, giving drivers time to become familiar with the program and reinforcing the law requiring motorists to stop for school buses.

After Oct. 9, motorists caught illegally passing a stopped school bus will receive a citation from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

With hundreds of buses and thousands of students returning to the roads, Lake County Schools Transportation Director E. Scott Pfender is asking motorists to use extra caution, particularly during the opening days of school.

“We ask our Lake County drivers to please be aware, patient and allow yourselves extra time when traveling; especially, during the first few days of school as both students and bus drivers are learning their new routes,” Fender says. “When you see yellow/amber lights flashing on the school bus, please be aware that the bus is preparing to stop for a student stop.”

“Red flashing lights mean the bus is executing a student stop and is loading or unloading students. Please eliminate any distractions such as cell phones and please stay alert.”

Transportation officials are also asking students who ride the bus to familiarize themselves with bus rules found in Section IV of the Lake County Schools Student Code of Conduct and to watch the safety video available on the district’s transportation webpage.

Parents or students with questions may contact the Lake County Schools Transportation Department at 352-536-8070 or bus@lake.k12.fl.us.

“Our team has worked very hard this summer preparing for an awesome school year,” Fender says. “We appreciate the opportunity to serve the students at Lake County Schools.”