Manatee family concerned for safety on U.S. 19 in Palmetto

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — With the return to school, parents in Manatee County are increasingly worried about their children walking to and from school on busy roads.

Under Florida law, students residing within a two-mile radius of their school are ineligible for bus service. A local family has voiced that their only option is to drive their children daily.

“Give them a hug and a kiss, tell them I love them, and have a good day,” said Ryan Foster, describing his morning routine with his wife as they drop off their two sons at Palm View Elementary School. They have concluded that driving is their only safe option.

“It’s so fast right here,” Ryan noted, referring to the rapid traffic on U.S.-19 in north Palmetto, which is indeed a busy highway.

Because of this, neither parent feels comfortable allowing their kids to walk to school. “And it’s busy,” Ryan reiterated.

Bus transportation isn’t an option for them either. According to Florida statute, students living less than two miles from their schools cannot receive district transportation.

“Shocked, really. I didn’t know that. I thought being closer to the school wouldn’t exclude you from the bus,” he remarked.

The morning drive is smooth, and drop-off is convenient. However, Ryan expresses greater concern later in the afternoon when traffic peaks as school lets out.

“I don’t
even want them walking or riding their bikes to school because the cars are moving so fast,” he shared.

This situation impacts their family structure as well. “I like to work till 4 or 5 p.m. That cuts my job by two hours. I can’t go pick them up from school, drop them off, and then go back to work,” Ryan continued.

As the school year progresses, Ryan and his family are hopeful that the district will consider adding a bus stop near their home.