Watch For School Zones Starting Aug. 25

When school starts on Monday, August 25, Georgetown police officers will be out in force near the school zones. “School is starting up and we want to remind all drivers, not just parents, to slow down and be alert around our schools,” says David Scurlock, an officer with the Georgetown Police Department.

Police will be monitoring all the school zones in town. “Not all school zones have flashing lights to warn drivers, some have the times posted below the school zone sign,” says Scurlock. “There is always an increase in traffic when school starts, so be patient and drive smart. Keep the kids safe, stay buckled until they are ready to exit the vehicle, and buckle up before you leave the school.”

Look for the school zones near these Georgetown ISD schools:

• Carver Elementary, 1200 W. 17th Street
• Cooper Elementary, 1921 NE Inner Loop
• Ford Elementary, 210 Woodlake Drive
• Frost Elementary, 711 Lakeway Drive
• McCoy Elementary, 1313 Williams Drive
• Mitchell Elementary, 1601 County Road 110 (new school)
• Pickett Elementary, 1100 Thousand Oaks
• Purl Elementary, 1700 Laurel Street
• Village Elementary, 400 Village Commons
• Williams Elementary, 507 E. University Avenue
• Benold Middle School, 3407 Northwest Boulevard
• Forbes Middle School, 1911 NE Inner Loop
• Tippit Middle School, 1601 Leander Road
• Ninth Grade Campus, 2295 N. Austin Avenue
• Georgetown High School, 2211 N. Austin Avenue

School zone speed limits are in effect before school and after school hours. The fine for speeding in a school zone is $8 per mile over the limit, plus $127 for state tax and fees. This would mean a $207 fine for driving 30 mph in a 20 mph zone, for example.

Drivers also must stop for a school bus with red lights flashing and a stop sign extended. “Even on four-lane roads like Williams Drive or Austin Avenue, drivers approaching a school bus from either direction must stop when the red lights are flashing,” says Scurlock. “Drivers also must also stop for crossing guards and remain stopped until they leave the roadway or direct traffic to continue.” The fine for failing to stop for a school bus is $367, and it’s a $197 fine for failing to stop for a crossing guard.

Children can do their part by crossing only at intersections and making sure the coast is clear before crossing. “Remind children to look before entering or crossing the road and if there is a crossing guard, make sure to follow the guard’s directions,” says Scurlock.

For more information about school zones, contact Sgt. Loyd Pearson with the Georgetown Police Department at (512) 930-2594.