Some context
Last year, Texas school zones saw 781 traffic crashes—resulting in two deaths and 17 serious injuries—most often caused by driver inattention, speeding or failure to yield, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Crashes involving school buses totaled 2,480 with inattention and speed again leading factors.
During the 2023-24 academic school year, there were over 9,100 illegal school bus passing violations issued to drivers across the Austin metro, according to Austin ISD documents. Another 3,100 violations occurred in the 2024-25 school year as of February, per Community Impact’s previous reporting.
What’s being done
New cameras have now been installed on all Austin ISD school buses as an initiative to prevent illegal passing.
The fine for passing a stop arm depends on if the person was caught on camera or in person. Those with on-camera offenses are fined $300, per city of Austin ordinance passed in 2015. If caught in person by an officer, a person can be fined anywhere from $500 to $1,250. Repeat offenders may have their driver's licenses suspended for up to six months.
Amir Emamian, community services division manager for Austin’s Transportation and Public Works Department, said the city upgraded its centralized system in 2024 to remotely manage all 750 school zone beacons, leading to a 75% drop in school zone-related service requests.
In addition to implementing road upgrades geared to improve safety for students getting to school, the program engages in community planning, encourages walking and biking, performs traffic studies and provides safety training to over 35,000 students in the Austin area annually, Emamian said.
Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura said the district has expanded its police presence at all of its campuses to help reinforce school zones
In partnership with the city and AISD Police Department, district leaders are working to systematically address traffic violation “hot spots.”
“If you see something, say something,” said Austin Police Chief of Staff Robin Henderson, urging residents to report drivers violating school zone or school bus traffic laws by calling 911 or 311.
Segura also noted that all of the district's school buses are equipped with seat belts, and several schools have implemented mandatory “No seatbelt, no ride” regulations for students.
Things to keep in mind
Tips for driving in school zones:
- Be aware that traffic patterns around school zones may have changed since the last school year.
- Stay alert and put your phone away. Using a handheld electronic device while driving in an active school zone is against the law.
- Stop and yield to people in crosswalks.
- Obey school zone speed limit signs. Remember, traffic fines increase in school zones.
- Drop off and pick up your children in your school’s designated areas, not the middle of the street.
- Keep an eye on children gathered at bus stops.
- Watch for children who might dart across the street or between vehicles.
- Use sidewalks. If there’s not one, it's best to walk on the left side of the street facing traffic.
- Cross the street only at intersections or marked crosswalks. Look left, right and left again before proceeding.
- Always obey crossing guards.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. Never assume a driver sees you.
- Look for traffic when stepping off a bus or from behind parked vehicles.
- Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or scooter.
- Don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.
- Follow all traffic rules, signs and signals.
“This is one large ecosystem, one large city, and we’re all working together,” Segura said. “You may not have a student at that school and you may not know anybody that works at that school, but what you do, driving through that school zone, could have profound impacts on multiple lives.”
