News Release

With School out for the summer, Bastrop motorists have enjoyed carefree driving without the inconvenience of reduced speeds in school zones, stopping for buses loading and unloading children and waiting in congested traffic around our schools. But, starting Monday, August 23^rd students and teachers will head back to school campuses across the city, and the safety of our children is as always a key issue.

Students, teachers and administrators will travel to and from school between 7:00 and 8:30 every morning and 2:00 and 4:00 every afternoon.  The police department encourages motorist to drive with extreme caution and adhere to the reduced speed limits in school zones and to stop for buses loading and unloading and remember texting while driving in school zones is also illegal.

While typical drivers must adjust to changes in speed during school hours, parents of school children have a responsibility as well in keeping kids safe. Take extra precautions near school campuses and pedestrian crosswalks. For safety reasons, it is also very important for parents to drop-off and pick-up their children at the designated areas determined by their school principal.

To encourage compliance with the reduced speed limit in school zones and failure to stop for buses loading and unloading, uniformed patrol officers will remain highly visible for the first several weeks issuing citations to violators. If convicted a driver could face a fine up to $500.00 plus court cost.

Let’s work together to make sure the 2010-11 school year remains safe and enjoyable for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns about traffic in your neighborhood, please contact the police department at 321-5550.

Thanks,
David L. Board
Chief of Police