DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) is launching a new safety initiative called ‘Be Safe. Be Seen.’

This was a topic of conversation in the superintendent’s town hall on Thursday, Jan. 30. It’s all in response to a devastating trend of students being hit by cars in the Jacksonville area.

At least 13 students have been hit by cars this school year alone and three have lost their lives. 

Every day, traffic lines the streets near DCPS, especially during school drop-off and pick-up times. For one DCPS mother, she says it’s become a danger zone.

“There’s parents that illegally make U-turns and drop their kids off on Sam Caruso, or even out on Chaffee to let them cross the street and walk up to the school,” Michelle Petty told First Coast News.

There’s concern about the lack of infrastructure, making the area a potential hazard for students.

“The traffic backs up really bad during the middle school dismissal time,” Petty said. “There’s no flashing lights out there. There’s no crossing guard during that time, people are driving 45 plus miles per hour down there. Some of them have to cross the street to get home, and it’s just not safe.”

In response to concerns like this and several students who have been struck, DCPS has launched this campaign.

“Losing one life is too many,” DCPS Superintendent Christopher Bernier said. 

It aims to educate students on safe walking and biking practices, while also raising awareness among drivers.

“This is really a two-fold campaign, one to help our kids be better walkers and bike riders,” Bernier added. “The other is to give our drivers out there on the streets in the mornings and afternoons, an eye to be looking for kids.”

 Tina Bennett, a DCPS principal, explained the approach they’re taking in the classroom.

“We do videos, we do practices out on the playground about how to safely cross the road, how to safely use crosswalks,” she said.

While the campaign is set to run until Friday, families hope for more comprehensive measures.

“I just hope that they take the kids’ safety and make it their priority, versus saving money,” Petty said.

The district hopes this can serve as a reminder every day for students to be safe and be seen year round.

The City of Jacksonville (COJ) DCPS have significantly expanded their partnership to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety for students as well.

Some key developments include:

1. DCPS adopted Resolution 2025-05 in November 2024, committing to partner with COJ on youth bicycle-pedestrian safety.

2. Safety lessons are being integrated into the annual curriculum for all grades (K-12), including high school students learning to drive.

3. COJ participated in DCPS’s “Teacher Training Day” on January 6, 2025, introducing “traffic gardens” for practical safety lessons.

4. A helmet distribution event on January 15, 2025, provided over 200 free helmets to students at Fort Caroline Elementary School.

5. COJ is developing its first Vision Zero Action Plan, to be completed by April 2025, focusing on safety for all roadway users.

6. Agencies are collaborating on Safe Routes to Schools activities to improve infrastructure around schools.

7. COJ is considering implementing speed enforcement cameras in school zones.