TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Pasco County mother is taking action after her 11-year-old daughter was hit by a car while riding her bike to school. Jennifer Reznick, a mother of three from New Port Richey, is calling on Florida lawmakers to make changes to state law to protect students walking or biking to school. Her push comes after her daughter’s painful experience, and Reznick hopes to prevent other families from going through the same trauma.
Jennifer’s daughter, who was riding her bike last fall, survived the accident, but it sparked an urgent plea for change. Reznick explains that because they live only 1.9 miles from the school, Florida law doesn’t allow her child to ride the school bus. According to state law, students can only access school buses if they live more than two miles away unless there are “hazardous walking conditions.” After her daughter’s accident, Reznick reached out to the school district, hoping to get her child some safety measures like a bus ride, but the district refused, stating there was nothing to discuss because the law doesn’t require it.
“I contacted the district to say, ‘Hey, are these roads dangerous enough that maybe I can get courtesy bussing for my child?’ They said, ‘We have nothing to discuss. It’s not a law. They don’t make us do it. So, we’re not going to,’” Reznick told lawmakers during her visit to Tallahassee.
This tragic incident and other similar cases, including the death of a Clearwater High School student in February, have led Reznick to urge lawmakers to address the issue. Reznick testified before Florida lawmakers, asking them to amend the proposed legislation to help more students stay safe.
The Proposed Changes: In response to safety concerns, Florida lawmakers are considering bills like House Bill 85 (HB 85) and Senate Bill 650 (SB 650), which aim to improve student safety. These bills seek to expand the definition of “hazardous walking conditions” to include certain walkways near highways, freeways, and expressways, including entrance and exit ramps. The bills would also lower the threshold for school bus access from the current two-mile distance to one mile.
A key aspect of these bills is the introduction of “courtesy buses” for elementary school students who have to travel along certain hazardous routes. The idea behind these buses is to offer an extra layer of protection for young students who are walking or biking on potentially unsafe roads.
While the proposed legislation is seen as a step in the right direction, Reznick argues that it doesn’t go far enough. She wants to see middle and high school students included in the proposed changes. “This bill is going to save lives, but please amend it so that us parents have the right to go back to our districts and have them evaluate our children’s walkways to school,” she said.
Community Impact and Call for Action: Reznick’s push is not just for her own daughter but for all students in Florida. The idea is to expand the definition of hazardous routes and make sure that all students, regardless of whether they are in elementary, middle, or high school, have access to safe transportation options. “One baby’s life is way too expensive. So this is a good first step. But I really do think that if we want to fix it for all children in the state of Florida, let’s get rid of that two-mile rule and let’s fund it,” said State Rep. Susan Valdes, a strong supporter of the legislation.
The tragic death of the Clearwater High School student serves as a reminder of how urgent the need for safer routes to school is. The student was hit by a car while riding his bike to school in February, a loss that underscores the importance of the proposed changes.
Reznick and other parents are calling for lawmakers to act quickly to pass the legislation and ensure that more children don’t have to face dangerous roads to get to school. The hope is that the new rules will be passed and that parents like Reznick will be able to take their concerns directly to local school districts to ensure safer routes for their children.
Next Steps: As of now, the Florida House Education & Employment Committee and the Senate Transportation Committee are reviewing the bill. Reznick’s advocacy has put a spotlight on the issue, and the hope is that these committees will take swift action to pass the necessary changes. The outcome of these discussions will determine whether students in Florida will have access to better safety measures on their way to school.
While the law currently covers some aspects of student safety, Reznick’s story reveals that there is still much more that needs to be done to keep students safe. Her determination is a powerful reminder that parents are an essential part of the process in making laws that affect their children’s lives. As Reznick continues to push for changes, many in the community are rallying behind her, hoping for a safer future for students across the state.
The Source: Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13’s Regina Gonzalez.
Disclaimer – Our team has carefully fact-checked this article to make sure it’s accurate and free from any misinformation. We’re dedicated to keeping our content honest and reliable for our readers.
