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TxDOT Urges Drivers to Be Safe

 

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. Violators could 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<mailto:Rhonda.OaksDonaldson@txdot.gov> or (936) 633-4395.
 
 

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