Back to School Safety Tips

With students returning to school very soon, the Houston Police Department reminds all motorists to pay close attention when driving through school zones.  Officers will be out in school zones enforcing the speed limits.  Anytime you see a school bus, use extra caution since children may dart out into traffic either getting on or off the bus.  For some of these children, it is their first time going to school and they may not be familiar with guidelines they should follow.

Motorists can receive significant fines for speeding through school zones or passing a school bus with flashing lights.  Speeding citations in a school zone can result in a $220 fine.

Safety tips for children and parents include: 

1.      Children should not talk to strangers.  Advise children how to handle a situation in which someone attempts to lure them with prizes or tries to abduct them

2.      Teach children bicycle safety tips while riding to and from school

3.      Be aware of potential problems that can arise when children are home by themselves

4.      Whenever possible find qualified caregivers for before and after school care

For more “Back to School Safety Tips”, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/police/pdfs/back2school.pdf.

To learn more about HPD, visit http://www.houstonpolice.org/