Rollingwood Detective Joel Martin has been patrolling the streets for a few years, and at the end of 2013 he decided something needed to be done about the number of people disobeying traffic laws in school zones.

To help raise awareness, Martin started the Slow Down For Me campaign, which launches Feb. 3 at Hill Country Middle School in Austin.

"It came about through observation," Martin said. "Someone has to be out there at all times, trying to get people to slow down."

To get the program going, Martin said he had to get approval from both Eanes ISD and the city of Rollingwood, and he had to findenough money for signs and pamphlets for the day.

Martin said Sgt. Kristal Pompa helped gather enough donations for handheld and street signs for the event.

At the end of the school day Feb. 2, nearly 1,500 students from Hill Country Middle School and Cedar Creek Elementary School will pour out of Hill Country to show motorists they are there.

Martin will be on hand to issue citations to motorists who break laws by speeding, changing lanes without signaling, talking on cell phones, running through crosswalks and other violations.

He said fines for offenses can range from a few hundred dollars to $2,000.

Martin said hehopes the program will catch on at other school districts. He said he also plans to run the program again.

"When those signs are out and I am patrolling, there will be a zero-tolerance policy," Martin said."We are going to keep these kids safe no matter what."