AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — The Texas Department of Transportation wanted to remind drivers to help keep kids safe in school zones as school traffic returns.
TxDOT offered driving tips to help keep kids safe in school zones and around school buses.
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Tips for driving in school zones:
- Look for flashing school zone lights in the morning and afternoon. Be aware that traffic patterns around schools may have changed since last 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 the right of way to pedestrians, cyclists or other vulnerable road users in a crosswalk.
- Obey school zone speed limits. Traffic fines increase in school zones.
- Know where to go. Drop off and pick up your kids in your school’s designated areas, not in the middle of the street.
- Be on the lookout for children gathered at bus stops.
- Watch out for children who might dart across the street or between vehicles.
Tips for drivers sharing the road with school buses:
- Follow school buses at a safe distance.
- Stop for school buses.
- Look out for children around buses and remember that they may not always look for vehicles before crossing the street.
Tips for children 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 crossing.
- Pay close attention to crossing guards and obey their instructions.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. Never assume a driver sees you.
- Look both ways for traffic when stepping off a bus or from behind parked vehicles.
- Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or scooter.
- Stay alert. Phones or other electronic devices are distractions and can take your eyes and ears off the road.
“School zones can be hectic places, with students hopping on and off buses or darting between cars to cross the street, and drivers who may become distracted or impatient. Tragically, crashes can and do happen. Just last year, there were 781 traffic crashes in school zones and 2,480 collisions involving school buses in Texas,” said TxDOT officials.
TxDOT officials said more information can be found on DriveLikeATexan.com…