School ZoneAwareness
Published on August 2, 2018
The Huntsville City Schools system as well as other schools within the city will start the new school year next week. The Huntsville Police Department wants to remind everyone about school zone safety and the laws that pertain to them. Especially the decreased speed limits through these areas in the mornings and when schools release students later in the day. These zones are distinctly marked and visible during the hours the lower speed limit is in effect. Officers will be strictly enforcing these school zone speed limits, as well as other safety concerns around the schools. Everyone should expect delays when traveling through them. Please allow yourself extra time to ensure you arrive safely an on time.
There will be over 80 Public Safety Aides directing traffic within these zones and their primary goal is getting children to and from school safely. All motorists and pedestrians are required to obey their directions. Many students will be walking and biking to school and we ask everyone to be extra careful at intersections and crosswalks. HPD are asking parents to remind their children to always stay on the sidewalks and only cross roadways in designated crosswalks.
Also remember motorists are required to stop for any school bus that has a stop sign extended and/or their red flashing lights activated. This applies whether you are approaching the bus from the front or the rear. The only exception is if you are traveling in the opposite direction on a four-lane highway with a divider between the opposing lanes. The law not only applies to buses stopped on roadways, but also buses stopped on private streets and parking lots to include school campuses. Penalties for violating this law range from fines to suspension of driver license and community service.
As a reminder to media, we are having a HPD Public Safety Aid (School Crossing Guard) training session Friday Aug 3rd at 7am at Bob Wallace Ave and Triana Blvd. All media has been invited. The HPD Public Safety Aid Supervisor will be available.
The Huntsville Police Department wishes everyone a happy and safe school year.
