Officer Chris Rankin

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: School Traffic Enforcement and Safety.

The Texarkana Arkansas School District is preparing to begin another year and we at the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department will need everyone’s help to assure the safety of our students. Traffic fines are doubled in school zones and officers will be conducting traffic enforcement within school zones with zero tolerance. Special emphasis will be placed on speeding violations as well as careless driving and improper passing. These are a few reminders regarding shool zone safety:

- It is illegal to pass a school bus from any direction while the busses' red lights are flashing, unless the opposing traffic is on a multi lane highway that is divided by a parkway or dividing strip of 20’ or more.

- Most school zone speed limits and boundaries are clearly marked and should be strictly followed. 15 miles per hour is the maximum speed within school zones. Remember to watch for kids, because they may not be watching for you.

- Parents should take care when dropping their children off in school driveways. They should always remind their children to watch for other vehicles that are pulling through the driveways and always look both ways before crossing a school driveway.

- Patrol Officers will be working in school zones at the beginning and end of each school day, and the Speed Trailer will be posted at different schools throughout the school year. These officers, coupled with school resource officers will also take enforcement actions dealing with criminal violations that occur on school property.

Just one injury or death of a child is one too many. Please pay attention and follow school zone traffic laws.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.