Drive Smart in School Zones

 As East Texas children head back to school this month, please be extra cautious in school zones and around school buses to help keep kids safe.

School zones can be chaotic with children walking or biking to school, sometimes dashing between cars and hopping in and out of buses. Unfortunately, traffic crashes can and do happen. In 2023, there were 748 traffic crashes in Texas school zones, resulting in 1 death and 14 serious injuries. The most common crash causes were speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield the right of way.

There were also 11 people killed and 63 seriously injured last year in the 2,523 crashes involving Texas school buses. Driver inattention and speed were also the top contributing factors in those crashes.

TxDOT urges drivers to be on the lookout for young pedestrians and cyclists as the school year begins and to slow down, stay alert and follow all traffic laws to keep children safe and avoid costly fines and tickets. TxDOT also encourages parents to start sharing pedestrian and school zone safety tips while their kids are at a young age.

Tips for Driving in School Zones

• Be aware that traffic patterns around school zones may have changed since the last school year.
• Stay alert and put your phone away. Using a handheld electronic device while driving in an active school zone is against the law.
• Stop and yield to people in crosswalks.
• Always obey school zone speed limit signs. Remember, traffic fines increase in school zones.
• Drop off and pick up your children in your school’s designated areas, not the middle of the street.
• Keep an eye on children gathered at bus stops.
• Watch for children who might dart across the street or between vehicles.

Tips for Children Walking and Biking to School

• Use sidewalks. If there’s not one, it’s best to 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 or scooter.
• Don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.
• Follow all traffic rules, signs and signals.

The CPM Team hopes everyone has a great 2024-25 school year. Please be safe out there!

 

Source: TxDOT.gov

 

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