Press Release - 8/14/2014 - HPD back to school driving 8/14/2014 Cityof Huntsville,Texas Mail-HPD urges back-to-school driving safety-press release
IL I
HPD urges back-to-school driving safety - press release
Kristin Edwards<kedwards@huntsvilletx.gov> Thu, Aug 14, 2014 at 3:22 PM
Bcc: Sandra Cuevas <SCuevas@huntsvilletx.gov>, Linda Dodson <LDodson@huntsvilletx.gov>, Marcy Metz
<MMetz@huntsvilletx.gov>, Mark Moore <MMoore@huntsvilletx.gov>, Kim Kembro <KKembro@huntsvilletx.gov>,
Debra Jones <DJones@huntsvilletx.gov>, Esther Herklotz <eherklotz@huntsvilletx.gov>, Rose Kader
<RKader@huntsvilletx.gov>, Denise Tilson <DTilson@huntsvilletx.gov>, Jacque Finch <JFinch@huntsvilletx.gov>,
Sherry McKibben <SMcKibben@huntsvilletx.gov>, Deven Merchant <deven@huntsvilletx.gov>, Richard Lane
<RLane@huntsvilletx.gov>, Ben Gibbs <BGibbs@huntsvilletx.gov>, John Waldo <JWaldo@huntsvilletx.gov>, Sandi
Lawson <SLawson@huntsvilletx.gov>, Tammy Gann <TGann@huntsvilletx.gov>, Jesse Ferguson
<JFerguson2@huntsvilletx.gov>, Jessie Mathis <JMathis@huntsvilletx.gov>, Carol Reed <CReed@huntsvilletx.gov>,
Cameron Mattison <CMattison@huntsvilletx.gov>, Linda Pease <LPease@huntsvilletx.gov>, Steve Ritter
<SRitter@huntsvilletx.gov>, Laurie O'Brien <LOBrien@huntsvilletx.gov>, Lindsey Owings
<LOwings@huntsvilletx.gov>, "Leonard V. Schneider" <Ischneider@lilesparker.com>, Kristin Sion
<KSion@huntsvilletx.gov>, Jessica Rodiguez <JRodiguez@huntsvilletx.gov>, Kimm Thomas
<KThomas@huntsvilletx.gov>, City Council E-Mail <council@huntsvilletx.gov>, Janelle Valera
<JValera@huntsvilletx.gov>, Liesa Hackett <LHackett@huntsvilletx.gov>, ksamnews@yahoo.com, LEEAN MUNS
<klm022@shsu.edu>, news@kbtx.com, jpriest@houstonianonline.com, thekatshsu@gmail.com, news@kpft.org,
news@kstarcountry.com, julie.mcparland@news92.com, Rita Haldeman <rhaldeman@itemonline.com>,
sherryingram@kstarcountry.com, publisher@madisonvillemeteor.com, news@kagstv.com,
aroberts@co.walker.tx.us, mleblanc@kagstv.com, ens006@shsu.edu, Stephen Green
<sgreen@houstonianonline.com>, brandons@itemonline.com, news@abc40.com, Sam Beard
<greenman3@mac.com>, Lisa Trow <huntsvilleitem@gmail.com>, cstark@itemonline.com, SCOTT ENGLE
<scottjengle@aol.com>, solomon_laura@ymail.com, twaddill@itemonline.com, citysecretary intern
<citysecintern@huntsvilletx.gov>, Ken Petty <ken@publicnewsonline.com>, Information Technology E-Mail
<it@huntsvilletx.gov>, kooter@ksam1017.com, Jim Barnes <jbarnes@huntsvilletx.gov>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-
SHSU-Slide on Channel 7, please
Thank you!
The Huntsville Police Department asks all citizens to be especially mindful during the coming months of the beginning
of the school year and the associated traffic concerns.
According to HPD Lieutenant Jim Barnes, the increased presence of Sam Houston State University students on main
roadways and the renewed enforcement of school zones and the laws pertaining to school buses should be on the
minds of all drivers,especially through the months of August and September.
"The Huntsville Independent School District, Sam Houston State University and other local campuses will be back in
session, and there will be a lot more traffic and a lot more kids to consider," Barnes said. "We're encouraging all
hftps://mai I.g oog I e.conVmai I/u/0/?ui=2&i Ir 3aba28ddc5&vi eve pt&search=sent&th=147d62t 700cade10&si ml=147d62f700cadel 0 1/2
8/14/2014 Cityof Hunts\Alle,Texas Mail-HPD urges back-to-school dri\ing safety-press release
citizens to be aware, plan accord inglywhen driving within the city,and be patient and cognizant of your surroundings."
Barnes said citizens should review the locations of school zones on their daily travel routes as well as the speed limits
in effect during drop-off and pick-up hours.
"Every campus has protocols for how to enter and exit, and we're asking citizens to observe those protocols," he said.
"There will be officers available to assist and answer questions, but they will also issue citations for those who violate
traffic laws.
"Also, when you're driving near school zones, remember to keep an eye out for children who will be walking or riding
their bikes to school."
Within residential areas,drivers are also cautioned to observe the laws related to school bus stop signs, Barnes said.
"There are numerous bus stops throughout residential areas, and citations will be issued for those not stopping for
school bus signs," he said. "When the stop signs on a school bus are out,vehicles are required to stop whether they are
behind that bus or across the street from it.
"In these situations, please be patient,or plan alternative routes to avoid temporarily congested areas."
Finally, Barnes said drivers on Sam Houston Avenue and 11th Street should be ready for an influx of university student
drivers who are unfamiliar with the Huntsville area.
"We're asking that drivers consider the fact that many incoming freshman may be driving in Huntsville for the first
time," Barnes said. "Again, please be patient, but if there is a situation which you feel may require law enforcement
attention, make us aware of it and we will act accordingly."
Cell phone usage
Citizens are also reminded that the use of cell phones when school zones are active is against City ordinance and
punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.This regulation applies to both calling and texting, and the same fine applies
to speeding in school zones.
For more information or with any questions,contact Barnes at(936) 201-5496.
ui iistliiin III ill aur°qJs
IDelPuty City pecirre atyr/IRIO C'.Jty Of IFIIuiNGsmilllle, ..Texas
t:936-291-5413 1 'Ti!!i936-577-1787 1 o kedwards@liuntsvilletx.gov
Fauntsvilletx.gov
w�� www.huntsvilletx.gov
91- 0
hftps://mai I.g oog I e.conVmai I/u/0/?ui=2&i k=3aba28ddc5&�A ew=pt&search=sent&th=147d62t 700cade10&si ml=147d62f700cade10 2/2