PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Parents in Pasco County are concerned about students crossing busy roads to get to school.

It’s an issue made more prevalent with the school district canceling courtesy bus routes this year for middle and high school students within 2  miles of campus. That’s because of the ongoing bus driver shortage.

Parent Ashley St John picks up her three kids from Chasco Elementary and Middle Schools in Port Richey, seeing lots of students cross busy Ridge Road.

“It’s like insane,” St John said.

That’s how she describes Ridge Road, where the schools are right next to each other.

Spectrum Bay News 9 rode along with her during school dismissal.

You can see many kids crossing the busy road with no crosswalk or crossing guard present for middle schoolers, some darting across four lanes.

“It’s just so crazy. I really think we need to have crossing guards. I think that someone needs to oversee the kids and make sure they’re getting across the road,” St John said.

Pasco County Schools spokesperson Stephen Hegarty said this has been a common concern across the district this school year, especially with bus routes canceled for middle and high school students living within 2 miles of a campus. He said crossing guards are only hired for elementary students. So the schools are encouraging drivers and students to use caution in school zones.

St John said she actually started a Facebook group for Chasco parents, to remind drivers to be safe.

“I just want to bring awareness to everyone in the community. To try to get something done as a community. Because there are a lot of kids walking, and I would hate to see something happen to the kids forced to walk because there’s no buses. It’s just crazy,” St John said.

Pasco County Schools said there are no specific fixes coming to the Chasco schools. However, it recommended students cross Ridge Road using nearby Galen Wilson Boulevard.