Back-to-School in Harlingen

On Monday, students in the Harlingen public school system begin their 2021-22 school year. After several months of summer vacation, drivers and pedestrians should expect heavy traffic near school zones in the upcoming days.

To prevent needless tragedies, drivers and pedestrians should be aware of the potential dangers posed by distracted driving and increased traffic. Here are a few tips to help avoid an accident while traveling through school zones:

• Drivers should be mindful of speed restrictions near school zones. Virtually all schools have reduced-speed zones around school premises before and after school hours.

• Students should put away listening devices and cell phones while walking near areas with heavy vehicular traffic.

• Pedestrians should not assume that a driver is going to stop before crossing a roadway. When possible, young students should cross a street with a school crossing guard, an adult, or an older student.

• Drivers should put away their cell phones while on or near school premises.

• Students should be cautious while walking through parking lots and school driveways. Likewise, drivers should be on the lookout for students while entering and exiting school premises.

• Drivers should revisit state law regarding passing a stopped school bus. When in doubt, a driver should stop for a stopped school bus until the bus resumes motion, the bus driver signals the driver to move, or the bus turns off its flashing lights.

My staff and I would like to wish good luck to all Harlingen and Rio Grande Valley students as they begin the upcoming school year. For everyone else, please be safe and attentive while traveling in and near school zones. 

-RDJ