school is back - keep our kids safe 

With the return of the school year comes adjusting to the driving laws that you may not have necessarily practiced during the summer months. Below are some reminders as well as some new laws that will affect the way you drive and how parents can prepare for the drive to school. Reminders / Current Laws:

• Stop for flashing red lights on a school bus, regardless of which direction you’re headed. Continue your trip once the bus has moved, the flashing lights stop flashing, or the bus driver signals it’s okay to pass. Violations can lead to a $1,000 fine.

• Don't forget school zone speed limit, 20 mph. There will be LOTS of law enforcement out for the first few weeks. Fines double in school zones.

New laws that will go into effect September 1, 2009:

• It will be illegal to talk on any mobile device in a school zone unless it is hands-free. • ALL occupants in a vehicle, no matter their age, are required to wear a seat belt regardless of where they are seated.

• Children younger than 8 years of age will be required to be restrained in an approved child passenger safety seat unless the child is at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height.

Another new law has been proposed about phone use while driving. The Austin City Council agenda item directs the City Manager to prepare ordinance to prohibit the writing, sending or reading of text messages, instant messages and emails or viewing the internet on a mobile phone or other portable electronic device.

For a more complete list of new traffic and criminal laws that go into effect on September 1st, visit: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/pr081109.pdf