Back to School Reminder

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX -- As the summer break comes to an end, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind everyone that schools will be starting again next week. With the new school year beginning soon, there will be an increase in traffic during school hours. It is important for all students, whether they walk, bike, or take the bus, to take proper safety measures, as well as for motorists to be vigilant and cautious while driving near schools.

Please review the following tips to help keep our kids safe this school year:

• Give students extra room, and don’t assume they are paying attention to traffic. Students are frequently on their mobile devices or listening to electronic devices and may not be paying attention to their surroundings.
• Don’t block a crosswalk when stopped at a red light or stop sign.
• Texting while driving is illegal in Texas. Be mindful of this law whenever driving, especially around school zones.
• Follow the direction of school crossing guards.
• Watch for children on bicycles traveling to-and-from schools, and be extra vigilant.
• Always obey speed limits and traffic laws in school zones.
• Reduce speed when you spot a school bus and know children may unexpectedly step into the roadway without checking for oncoming traffic.
• Be careful around railroad crossings. School buses are legally required to stop at them.
• Know your school bus laws. According to Texas law, if a bus has alternating flashing red signals visible from the front or rear, drivers MUST stop before reaching the bus. Drivers can only proceed if the flashing lights are no longer activated, the driver signals you to proceed, or the bus has resumed driving. Approaching drivers do NOT have to stop for a school bus that is operating a visual signal if the road is separated by a physical barrier or intervening space. If a highway is only divided by a left-turn lane, it is not considered divided, and drivers must stop for school buses.
• Drivers who illegally pass a school bus face fines of up to $1,250 for the first offense. For people convicted of this offense more than once, the law allows for the person’s driver’s license to be suspended for up to six months (a ticket for this offense cannot be dismissed through defensive driving). Criminal charges are possible if a driver causes someone serious bodily injury.

Safeguarding our students traveling to and from school is a shared responsibility of the parents, students, school administrators, drivers, and law enforcement. Together, let’s make this a successful and safe school year.