In this week's Traffic Inbox, we continue to address issues of children getting hit by vehicles walking to school in Orange County. It's a story we've been following since last week.

Gerry from Winter Garden writes ...

"I saw your piece on students getting hit walking to school this past week and thought you should also address the problem of children getting hit just trying to get on their school bus."

Last January at the intersection of Cobblestone Circle and Partin Settlement Road in Kissimmee, a Neptune Middle School student was struck early in the morning trying to make his way onto his school bus.

The boy was critically injured, although he would survive his injuries. Passengers in the vehicle claim that road was extremely dark and the boy seemed to come out of nowhere. This makes it even more important for drivers to remain vigilant during the school year during the morning hours and the afternoon. After all, the laws seem simple enough.

"When that school bus stops and kids may be crossing the street you are required to stop when coming in the opposite direction unless there is a 5-foot divided raised or grass median,” said Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Kim Montes. “And absolutely stop going in the same direction."

It should be noted that Osceola County officials did in fact change the location of that particular bus stop following the accident.

"These areas are planned out by school administrators to make it as safe as possible, but we also need drivers to do what they are required by law," said Montes.

Drivers aren't the only ones however that need to follow the rules. Children should have some awareness as well.

"For kids, we want them to realize that running across the road last-minute puts them at risk,” said Montes. “And we did see a couple of those type of crashes last year. So kids waiting for the school bus stop need to wait at the designated area and refrain from just running across the road towards the school bus that just stopped. Because that may put them at risk for a driver that may not see them."

In Osceola County, failure to yield to a school bus could cost you $270 and four points on your license and a trip to traffic school.

Hope that helps Gerry!