Author: Shelby Benavidez
Contributing Attorney: Ashley Carpenter, attorney
When parents send their kids off to school, they expect them to arrive safely. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. TxDOT recorded 781 crashes in Texas school zones in 2024. Even though Texas shows a lower crash rate – about 40% below the national average – those numbers still represent real children, real injuries, and families whose lives are turned upside down.
Even though school zones are meant to be safe, they remain among the most dangerous areas for children walking or biking to school. This post explains the laws drivers must follow, the serious consequences of violations, and what parents should do if their child is ever hit in a school zone.
School Zone Laws in Texas
Follow the Posted Speed Limit
As most drivers know (or should know), school zones often have reduced speed limits due to children and pedestrians going to and from school, who usually make unpredictable movements, like darting across the street or parking lot. Because of this, speeding in a school zone is reckless, dangerous, and illegal. Even a small increase in speed greatly reduces a driver’s reaction time and the ability to stop quickly. That’s why obeying the posted speed limit is one of the most important ways to avoid a tragic collision.
Do Not Use Your Cell Phone
Distracted driving, especially driving while using a cell phone, is one of the top contributors to school-zone accidents. In Texas, House Bill 347 prohibits the use of any handheld electronic device while driving during active school-zone periods. Drivers must stay alert and avoid distractions like texting, calls, or even glancing at the phone because a child could step into a crosswalk at any moment, especially during busy drop-off or pick-up times.
Pedestrians Always Have the Right of Way
When pedestrians, especially children, are crossing the street in a crosswalk or at a marked crossing, they have the right of way – drivers must yield every time. You also need to be prepared to stop at any moment. Children can be unpredictable. They may rush out between parked cars, cross suddenly to catch a bus, or step off a curb without warning. Paying attention to what’s going on around you is critical. Pedestrians lack the protective buffer that vehicles give – no airbags, no seat belts – which makes even a “minor” collision potentially life-changing or deadly.
Local Regulations
Beyond state laws, many local jurisdictions in Texas may impose additional rules for school zones. For example, some areas make it illegal to pass other cars within a school zone, especially during active times. Some may require drivers to follow specific “drop-off and pick-up” procedures, or restrict mid-block U-turns or unsafe stopping/parking near crosswalks and bus stops.
Because local ordinances may vary, and because school-zone layouts differ from one community to another, it’s important for drivers to know and obey both state and local school-zone rules.
Penalties for School Zone Violations
Increased Fines
If you get ticketed in a school zone, don’t expect your ticket to mimic those you’ve gotten previously. Because kids are involved, Texas laws increase the penalty, and fines are frequently much higher, sometimes even double what you’d normally see for speeding or distracted driving elsewhere.
The idea is to create a stronger deterrent. When drivers know the financial cost (and legal consequences) of taking risks in school zones, they’re more likely to slow down, stay alert, and follow the rules.
Suspension of License
In addition to fines, repeated or serious violations, especially those that endanger pedestrians, can lead to license suspension. Although regulations vary by county and by the severity of the offense, license suspension is a common consequence in severe cases or repeat offenses. Losing a license can have long-lasting impacts, including loss of mobility, difficulty getting to work, challenges with family responsibilities, and more.
Spike in Insurance Rates
Even if a violation doesn’t lead to license suspension, involvement in a school-zone accident or traffic violation almost always leads to higher auto insurance premiums. Insurance companies consider such incidents red flags, especially when children’s safety is involved, so they raise rates accordingly. For families, that means long-term financial burdens beyond immediate fines or medical bills.
The Moral Consequence of Harming a Child
Aside from physical and financial consequences, the highest cost of all is causing harm to a child. No amount of money, license points, or insurance penalty can make up for pain, trauma, and loss. A moment of inattention, a few miles per hour over the limit, or a glance at a phone can change a child’s life, and their family’s lives, forever. As statistics show, even with stricter laws and safety campaigns, school-zone crashes continue to injure and take the lives of children. For any driver, that should serve as a powerful reminder that the risk isn’t worth the few seconds saved by speeding or texting.
What to Do If Your Child Is Hit in a School Zone
Seek Medical Attention
If your child is hit by a vehicle, get medical help immediately. Even if injuries don’t look serious at first, some injuries, like internal trauma, traumatic brain injuries, or bone fractures, may not show obvious symptoms right away.
A prompt medical examination can identify hidden injuries and ensure your child gets proper care. It also establishes medical documentation, which might be important later if you pursue legal action or insurance claims.
Document Everything: Accident Scene, Injuries, Medical Treatment & Insurance
Gather as much proof as you can. If you are able, take photos of the accident scene, including crosswalks, street signs, stop signs, school-zone flashing lights, damage to vehicles, and your child’s injuries. Write down the exact location, date, time, and conditions, such as weather, lighting, and traffic. Collect the driver’s name, license plate, and insurance information, and gather details from any witness that was present.
Documentation throughout the entire process is essential to protecting your rights. Keep detailed records of all medical reports, bills, prescriptions, and follow-up care records. It may sound like a lot to keep track of, but documentation strengthens your case, whether for insurance, legal, or settlement purposes.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
If your child was injured due to a driver’s negligence in a school zone, contacting a qualified personal injury attorney can help protect your child’s rights. A skilled attorney can help you gather evidence such as police reports, medical records, and witness statements, and they can help you navigate insurance claims. If the insurance company of the driver is refusing to take responsibility or is delaying your claim, having a pedestrian/auto accident attorney on your side may be the only way to receive full value for your child’s injuries.
But let’s be honest, if your child were struck by a vehicle, the least of your worries is a personal injury claim. That’s why it’s crucial to hire an attorney who cares about your family and your claim. The right attorney will take care of everything regarding your case so that you can focus on helping your child heal and getting your family’s lives back on track.
Key Takeaways: Prioritizing School Zone Safety
Parents should never have to worry about their child’s safety at school, but as data proves, school zones can pose serious risks to children, changing the lives of countless families. In order to prevent these accidents, all members of the community need to stay vigilant.
Adhering to the law isn’t just about avoiding fines or penalties. It’s about protecting lives. Slowing down, putting away the phone, and yielding to pedestrians are simple steps that can save a child’s life.
If the unthinkable happens and your child is struck in a school zone, immediate medical care, careful documentation, and legal support are crucial. For families, being prepared can make all the difference.
As drivers, parents, school staff, and community members, let’s all commit to respecting school-zone laws and making safety our top priority. Every child deserves to get to school – and back home – safely.
