Autor: Shelby Benavidez\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abogado colaborador:\u00a0Gabrielle Becker, attorney<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’ve ever found yourself glancing at the clock as your speed drops from 45 mph to 20 mph, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. Morning commutes are hectic, school drop-off lines seem endless, and it may be tempting to ignore school zone laws. But it only takes one moment and one child to change a community forever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Children don’t always recognize hazards the way we adults do. They’re still naive to the dangers of the world. If a backpack slips off their shoulder or a friend waves from across the street, a child can step into the road without thinking twice \u2013 and they wouldn’t notice an approaching vehicle until it was too late. School zones are designed to give drivers enough time to react to those situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All drivers need to understand how school zones work because it can make you a safer driver and potentially save a life. Let’s dive into why school zones matter, how effective they really are, and the laws every Texan should know before passing through one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n School zones were created in an effort to make sure every child gets to and from school safely. Young children are still developing their ability to judge distance, vehicle speeds, and hazards. They’re also naturally curious and easily distracted. Children may not always look both ways before crossing the street; their focus may be on catching up with a friend or hurrying into school before the morning bell rings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not to mention, school arrival and dismissal times create some of the busiest traffic conditions of the day. Parents are pulling into drop-off lanes, buses are loading and unloading students, crossing guards are directing traffic, and hundreds of pedestrians may be moving through a relatively small area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Slowing down 10 or 15 miles per hour allows a driver to stop more quickly and reduce the force of impact if a crash occurs. That’s why many school zones use flashing lights and clearly marked signs to let a driver know children are present and you need to slow down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, crashes inside active school zones are relatively rare compared to other roadways. However, the risk still exists. <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), hundreds of school-age children are killed each year in traffic crashes while heading to and from school<\/a>, and thousands more suffer injuries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s exactly why school zones encourage you to slow down and pay attention to your surroundings. While safety measures won’t prevent crashes entirely, they can significantly lower the likelihood that a mistake will turn into a tragedy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Research has shown that a lowered speed limit reduces both the likelihood of a crash and the severity of injuries when one does occur. And according to a national analysis by TRIP, Texas ranks 22nd in the nation for school zone safety<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Our school zones work because they combine several safety measures instead of relying on just one. Reduced speed limits, flashing lights, highly visible pavement markings, school crossing signs, crossing guards, and designated crosswalks are all signals that drivers need to be extra cautious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, a school zone is only as effective as the drivers passing through it. If they\u2019re negligent and worry more about who\u2019s texting them or speeding to get to work on time, the protections built into these areas become moot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike standard speed limits, school zone speed limits are typically only enforced during specific times of day<\/a>, such as morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. Those hours are usually posted on nearby signs or activated by flashing yellow lights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s important to pay attention to when a school zone is active and the adjusted speed limit. Even if you don’t see any children around, the rules still apply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When a school bus stops and extends its stop arm with flashing red lights activated, drivers are generally required to stop until the bus resumes motion or the signals are turned off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n En Texas, drivers traveling in both directions must stop for a stopped school bus<\/a> unless the roadway is divided by a physical median or barrier that separates opposing traffic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n During school arrival and dismissal times, you’ll likely see children crossing at marked crosswalks, crossing guards directing traffic, parents dropping off students, and buses stopping frequently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If a crossing guard instructs you to stop, you need to follow their directions, even if you have a green light. Likewise, drivers must yield to pedestrians who are lawfully using a crosswalk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Under Texas law, drivers are prohibited from using their cell phones while driving through an active school zone<\/a>. That includes activities like texting, emailing, scrolling social media, or otherwise using your phone by hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hands-free devices may be allowed to a certain extent, but the safest choice is to put your phone away entirely until you’ve left the school zone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Special speed limits in school zones exist for a reason. Children can step into the street without warning, and even a few extra miles per hour can significantly increase how long it takes you to come to a complete stop. Leaving a few minutes earlier is always safer than trying to make up time behind the wheel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A text message can wait. Looking down for just a few seconds may be all it takes to miss a child entering a crosswalk or a school bus activating its stop arm. Eliminate distractions before you start driving, especially during school hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTabla de contenido<\/h2>
TL;DR: School Zone Safety <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nLa importancia de las zonas escolares <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why Do School Zones Exist? <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
How Many Kids Get Hit in School Zones? <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Are School Zones Effective? <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Texas School Zone Laws <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
School Zone Speed Limits <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
School Buses <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Passing, Crosswalks, and the Right of Way <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Cell Phone Use in School Zones <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Back-to-School Driving Safety Tips <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Desacelerar <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Put Your Phone Away <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Watch for Crossing Guards and Crosswalks <\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n