EAST TEXAS (KLTV) -
School is back in full swing this week for most East Texas students and that means we all need to be aware of school zones, school buses and crosswalks.
According to a study done by Allstate, motorists caught speeding or using hand held devices in Tyler and Longview school zones will have to pay an average fine of $222. The average cost of a ticket for drivers topping the speed limit by 10 miles per hour is $216. The highest fine, according to the Allstate study is $250 in Tyler.
Like construction zones, fines for speeding in school zones double when the school zone is active.
"The law requiring motorists to put the cell phone down in a school zone is still relatively new," said TxDOT spokesman Larry Krantz. "But there is zero tolerance for it as far as law enforcement is concerned. No phone call or similar distraction is worth a child's life."
Motorists traveling in both directions on a given roadway must stop when red lights flash on a school bus. Violations can lead to a $1,000 fine.
"At least one student is killed every year while waiting to get on, or just after getting off a school bus," Krantz said. "And in almost every case, it's because a motorist ignores the flashing red lights."
Finally, for students waiting for the bus or walking to school, stand far back from the road while waiting for the bus, and look both ways if you have to cross the street when moving to or from a pick-up point. Stay on sidewalks when possible, and when there is no sidewalk, walk as close to the curb as possible against the direction traffic is moving.
"It's worth remembering that these laws are necessary because children aren't always as aware of their surroundings as adults might be," Krantz said. "But if as adults we're too distracted to be watching out for each other's children, it's only a matter of time before tragedy strikes," said Krantz.
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