TxDOT is reminding all drivers to be extra cautious in school zones and around school buses. School zones areas are often chaotic with children walking or biking to school and sometimes dashing between cars and entering/exiting buses.
According to TxDOT, there were 748 traffic crashes in Texas school zones in 2023, and those crashes resulted in one death and 14 serious injuries. The most common crash causes were speeding, distracted driving and failure to yield right of way.
In addition, 11 people were killed, and 63 were seriously injured last year in 2,523 crashes that involved Texas school buses. Distracted driving and speed were also the top contributing factors in those crashes.
Please watch out for young pedestrians and cyclists and remember to slow down, stay alert and follow traffic laws. You’ll not only be keeping kids safe, you’ll also avoid the costly fines and tickets.
TxDOT also encourages parents to start sharing pedestrian and school zone safety tips while their kids are young.
School zone driving tips:
- 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.
Parents – Teach children these safety tips for walking or 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 the 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.
No matter where you get stopped speeding in a Texas school crossing zone, it is expensive. The life of a child is priceless and not worth the risk of speeding through a school zone. Children are more vulnerable than adults to being hit by a car. They tend to be less cautious than adults, are less visible due to size and less likely to survive a hit by a vehicle, than an adult.
The city of Garland will be testing school zone lights the week of Monday, Aug. 5. They want you to know that drivers can help keep kids safe by obeying the laws concerning school zones.
Remember these guidelines:
- Show some respect – Speed Limit is 20 mph.
- Avoid distractions while driving.
- Follow the crossing guard’s directions.
- Exercise caution at pedestrian crosswalks.
- Talking and texting on mobile devices is prohibited.
- Yield right of way to pedestrians.
Garland’s Transportation Department marks school zones by using signs and/or flashing amber lights to alert drivers to observe a speed limit of 20 miles per hour in these areas. This is strictly enforced – speeding in a school zone has a minimum fine of $164 plus $5 for each mile exceeding the speed limit.
Questions or concerns regarding child or school safety? Contact Schools and Neighborhood Program Manager at 972-205-2438.
https://www.txdot.gov/safety/traffic-safety-campaigns/back-to-school.html