As a new school year begins, we all can expect to see more road work and orange barrels throughout the city.

The Texas Department of Transportation has provided us with a complete list of closures and road projects you should know about this coming Monday, August 22. Since it's the first day of school, I wanted to remind you all of school zone safety.

Drivers should be especially alert and careful around school buses – which make frequent stops – and always follow traffic laws regarding school buses and school zones.

* Drivers slow down and pay attention in school zones, since children may unexpectedly step into a roadway without checking for oncoming traffic.

* State law requires that approaching drivers stop when a bus is stopped and operating a visual signal – either red flashing lights or a stop sign.

* Drivers should not proceed until the school bus resumes motion; the driver is signaled by the bus driver to proceed; or the visual signal is no longer activated.

* A driver does not have to stop for a school bus that is operating a visual signal if it is on a highway with roadways separated by an intervening space or physical barrier.
(If a highway is divided only by a left-turning lane, the roadways are not considered separated, and drivers must stop for school buses.)

* Drivers who illegally pass school buses face fines up to $1,250 for a first offense.

Please watch for children who are walking to and from school or waiting for school buses.

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