LAKELAND, Fla. - Polk County has been ranked as one of the deadliest counties in the state for pedestrians, which is why police are reminding drivers to slow down and pay attention as school begins on Monday.

What they're saying:

Cristaly Reyes lives across from Dixieland Elementary School in Lakeland. She says cars don't just speed in the school zone; they fly!

"It just doesn't matter about the speed, you know. Even when the kids are around, they don't care, honestly," she said.

Why you should care:

School starts on Monday for Polk County students. During the 2023-24 school year, 25 Polk County Public School students were involved in vehicle-related crashes, resulting in 13 deaths.

Lakeland Police are reminding drivers to pay attention in school zones for pedestrians, bicyclists,

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