Today is the start of school for most of our Central Texas schools.
Remember to stay safe in your local communities and in school zones. In Austin, the Austin Police Department will engage in a Back To School traffic safety initiative through Sept. 6th. You’ll see more officers patrolling school zones and looking for drivers who are speeding, using cell phones, and failing to yield to pedestrians and buses.
Around the state, drivers should also be warned that fines are increasing for illegally passing school buses. Effective September 1, the maximum fine for a first offense will increase from $1,000 to $1,250. If you receive two tickets for passing a bus, your license may be suspended for up to six months. And always remember that a ticket for illegally passing a bus can’t be dismissed through a driver’s ed course.
If you’re a parent, make sure your kids are at the bus stop early and that they don’t misbehave while waiting for the bus. And don’t forget to make sure that they check the street multiple times before crossing the street.
