As the summer season dwindles, a familiar sight returns to Austin's streets: the blinking of school zone flashers. Not a moment too soon to grab the attention of drivers, these signals will go live three days prior to the opening of schools, an initiative aimed at inducing motorists to press on their brakes instead of the accelerator as children make their back-to-school journeys. According to information released from the City of Austin's official blog, these measures are intended to reacquaint drivers with school zone locations they might have forgotten during the holiday lull.
With fines for speeding in these zones beginning at the steep price of $200, it seems the penalty for haste could be more than just monetary. To ignore the blinking lights is not only to risk one's wallet but to gamble with something far greater. "Always watch out for students," reminds the city's announcement, emphasizing the straightforward yet often overlooked responsibility that comes with navigating these areas. Particularly for those with a daily commute that includes school zones, recalibration of schedules is necessary because the first day of school for Austin arrives on Tuesday, August 19.
Furthermore, the guidelines for school bus safety bear repeating; Texas Transportation Code Sec. 545.066 outlines steep consequences for disregarding a stopped school bus's warning signals. A first offense carries a fine between $500 and $1,250, and should a driver repeat the offense within five years, the fine increases between $1,000 and $2,000, with the added possibility of a six-month license suspension. And if an injury results, the stakes rise to the level of a Class A misdemeanor or greater, as reported by the City of Austin's blog post.
As kids walk, bike, or hop into buses, their safety is - quite literally - in the hands of those behind the wheel. "Slowing down saves lives — and avoids steep fines," the message from the city reiterates, as start dates for surrounding districts loom. Del Valle schools, for instance, ushered in their students already on Monday, August 11, while others like Georgetown, Lago Vista, Luling, and Wimberley will follow suit on Thursday, August 14. A complete list of first-day schedules by district can be found in the city's announcement.
