The Midland Police Department (MPD) has advised motorists to prioritize the safety of schoolchildren as the 2023-2024 academic year gets underway, according to a pair of Facebook posts by the law enforcement agency.
“As we kick off another amazing academic year, let's keep safety at the top of our minds,” MPD said in an Aug. 9 post made on the first day of classes for the Midland Independent School District (MISD).
As indicated by a picture accompanying the post, the speed limit in active school zones is 20 miles per hour (MPH).
“Remember, speed limits in school zones are there for a reason – fines double!” MPD said.
The department further urged drivers to refrain from using their cell phones when in school zones “and focus on getting to school safely.”
In an Aug. 3 Facebook post, MPD stressed the importance of bus safety.
“Remember to be extra cautious on the roads, especially near school zones,” the post read. “Slow down when you see a school bus with flashing lights or extended stop signs – it means children are getting on/off.”
The department instructed motorists to keep a safe distance from buses in order to provide “plenty of space for them to maneuver safely.”
“Stay vigilant and help keep our students safe during their commute,” it said.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) website, 746 traffic crashes in the state’s school zones were confirmed last year, with 23 of those resulting serious injuries.
TxDOT said driver inattention, speeding and failure to yield the right of way were the leading causes of such accidents.
The state agency added that when it came to incidents with school buses in 2022, 2,305 crashes yielded seven fatalities and 51 serious injuries. Consequently, it urges motorists to slow down, pay attention and follow all traffic laws.