(August 14, 2006)—School doors open in many area school districts on Monday and that means thousands of students will be heading back to class.

Law enforcement agencies are reminding drivers to keep an eye out for children who are walking to school or waiting for school buses, to slow down in school zones and to obey state traffic laws related to school buses.

“Although school buses are the safest form of transportation for students, the most dangerous time of the journey is when children are entering and exiting the bus,” said Col. Thomas A. Davis, Jr., director of the DPS.

“When a school bus is loading or unloading students, the law requires that drivers stop on most roadways.”

“DPS has zero tolerance for vehicles that pass stopped school buses,” Davis said.

“Drivers must slow down, obey school zone speed limits and stop for school buses to ensure the safety of Texas school children,” he said.

State Law Requirements
(Source: DPS)

State law requires approaching drivers to stop when a school bus is stopped and operating a visual signal (red flashing lights or a stop sign). Drivers should not proceed until the school bus resumes motion; the driver is signaled by the bus driver to proceed; or the visual signal is no longer activated. A driver does not have to stop for a school bus if it is on a highway with roadways separated by an intervening space or physical barrier. (If a highway is divided only by a left-turning lane, the roadways are not separated, and drivers must stop for school buses.)

Punishment For Drivers Who Do Not Stop
(Source: DPS)

Drivers who do not stop for school buses face a fine of up to $1,000. If a driver is convicted of this offense more than one time, DPS can suspend their license for up to six months.

Click Here For DPS Web Site

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