TxDOT Issues Safe Driving Tips Near Schools, Buses

Date:

LUFKIN – As the new school year begins, TxDOT is reminding drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to exercise caution in and around school zones and school buses.
Schools in the nine-county Lufkin District are set to begin in coming days and the safety of all school children and motorists is important. Driver inattention could cause an unsafe condition on the roadway, whether it involves pedestrians, those on bicycles or school buses.

In 2015, there were 683 vehicle crashes in Texas school zones.

“We are urging all motorists to pay attention and follow the law as they drive near school zones and school buses,” said Rhonda Oaks, Lufkin District public information officer. “The statistics for 2016 are not yet available but in 2015 the Lufkin District recorded four vehicle crashes in school zones. Even one is too many. Everyone should remain alert.

Drivers should slow down and pay close attention when entering a school zone.”

Safety tips for drivers to remember include:

Obey the speed limit in school zones. Violators face fines up to $200.

Cell phone use is unlawful in an active school zone and violators face fines up to $200.

Drop off and pick up children in designated areas, not in the street.

Be alert to children who might dart across a street or in between vehicles to and from school.

Safety tips for pedestrians include:

Parents and children walking to school should be alert and cross the street only at intersections or crosswalks.

Always walk on sidewalks if they are available.

Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. Never assume the driver sees you.

Obey all crossing guards.

Safety tips for cyclists include:

Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.

Don’t be distracted by electronic devices.

Watch for vehicles in all directions.

When driving near a school bus, Texas law requires motorists to stop in all directions on an undivided roadway for flashing red school bus lights. Once the bus begins moving and the red flashing lights have stopped, motorists can resume driving. Violatorscould face fines of up to $1,000.

Additional information on school safety can be found on TxDOT.gov. Motorists can find traffic updates and closures on drivetexas.org or TxDOT Lufkin on Twitter.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.

Rhonda Oaks
Rhonda Oaks is the Public Information Officer for the nine-county Lufkin District of the Texas Department of Transportation. A Lufkin native, she is a graduate of Hudson High School and Angelina College. She has a background in print journalism and worked for many years as a newspaper reporter and a freelance writer. She has received eight Associated Press awards. Her articles have been published in many publications over the past 25 years.

Share post:

Subscribe

Popular

More like this
Related

Angelina College Athletics Celebrates with Signing Ceremony

Roadrunner and Lady Roadrunners Heading to the Next Level For...

2024-2025 Drug-Free All-Star Applications Now Available!

Attention Angelina County high school juniors! Applications for the...

Angelina College Athletics Weekly Update

Angelina College Softball is heading into its last week...

A Gathering of Winners

Angelina College Softball’s 2014 National Champs Celebrated at Reunion...