LUFKIN – A new school year is about to begin and TxDOT is calling on everyone to be extra cautious in school zones and around school buses to help keep students safe.
As drivers encounter school buses on the road and students loading and unloading at area schools, motorists are urged to stay alert and remember that with the new school year, congestion increases on the roadway.
The most common causes of crashes on the roadway are driver inattention, speeding and failure to yield the right of way. Driving in a school zone or near a school bus brings additional challenges to drivers. TxDOT urges motorists to slow down, pay attention and follow all traffic laws to keep children safe and avoid costly fines and tickets as parents, teachers and students prepare for the new school year.
“As parents and teachers prepare for the new year, motorists should refresh themselves on safety tips and laws concerning school zones and school buses,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “We also want to urge parents to review these tips with their school children, whether those children are elementary age or in college.”
Back-to-school safety tips include:
Driving in School Zones
Stay alert to new traffic patterns around schools that may have changed since last school year.
Put your phone away. Using a handheld electronic device while driving in an active school zone is against the law.
Stop and yield for people in crosswalks.
Always obey school zone speed limit signs. Remember, traffic fines increase in school zones.
Drop off and pick up children in your school’s designated areas, not the middle of a road.
Keep an eye on children gathered at bus stops.
Watch for children who might dart across the street or between vehicles.
Drivers Sharing the Road with School Buses
Follow at a safe distance, keeping in mind that school buses make frequent stops.
Always stay alert for children around buses and remember that they may not always look for vehicles before crossing the street.
Stop for flashing red lights or a stop sign on a school bus, unless you are traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway from the school bus. If traveling the same direction as the school bus, stop and continue your trip once the bus has moved, the flashing lights stop flashing, or the bus driver signals to pass.
First offense violations can lead to a fine of up to $1,250.
Children Walking or Biking to School
Use sidewalks. If there’s not a sidewalk, walk on the left side of the street, facing traffic.
Cross the street only at intersections or marked crosswalks. Look left, right, and left again before proceeding.
Always obey crossing guards.
Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. Never assume a driver sees you.
Look for traffic when stepping off a bus or from behind parked vehicles.
Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
Don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.
Follow all traffic rules, signs, and signals.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.
