With the 2022-23 school year beginning Monday, Aug. 15, Longview ISD reminds our community to please help keep students and staff members safe while on the road.
"This includes slowing down in school zones, staying off cell phones, and being aware at all times while around school buses," said Mr. Darryl Dans, LISD Transportation Director. "The beginning of a new school year should be a fun and exciting time for our students, staff, and families. It takes all of us being aware and vigilant to keep our children safe."
Director Steven McCraw, Texas Department of Public Safety, issued a statement on Aug. 9 urging drivers across the state to "do their part" to ensure student and school bus safety.
"According to Texas law, if a bus has alternating flashing red signals visible from the front or rear, drivers MUST stop before reaching the bus," he said. "Drivers can only proceed if the flashing lights are no longer activated, the driver signals you to proceed or the bus has resumed driving. Approaching drivers do NOT have to stop for a school bus that is operating a visual signal if the road is separated by a physical barrier or an intervening space. If a highway is only divided by a left-turn lane, it is not considered divided and drivers must stop for school buses."
The DPS offers the following tips for school safety:
- Drivers who illegally pass a school bus face fines up to $1,250 for the first offense. For people convicted of the offense more than once, the law allows for the person’s driver license to be suspended for up to six months. A ticket for this offense cannot be dismissed through defensive driving. Criminal charges are possible if a driver causes someone serious bodily injury.
- Give students extra room and don’t assume they are paying attention to traffic. Students are frequently distracted by mobile devices or listening on electronic devices and may not be paying attention to their surroundings.
- Reduce speed when you spot a school bus and know children may unexpectedly step into the road without checking for oncoming traffic.
- Be careful around railroad crossings. School buses are legally required to stop at them.
- Don’t block a crosswalk when stopped at a red light or stop sign.
- Watch for children on bicycles traveling to and from schools.
- Always obey speed limits and traffic laws in school zones.
- Remember, texting while driving is illegal in Texas.
- Follow the directions of school crossing guards.
Longview ISD Transportation is committed to providing safe, professional, and reliable transportation for students that meets all the requirements of the daily instructional program and extra-curricular activities. We see the school bus is an extension of the classroom, and an integral part of the education of all students within our school district.
Safety is our number one priority and is a group effort. Students, parents, teachers, school administrators, and drivers are all assigned responsibilities. We value each and every student and will emphasize that by treating each student with dignity and respect.
We are committed to providing safe, consistent, reliable transportation and will strive to continually upgrade our service to students and parents as it becomes possible.
Longview ISD offers bus service for all eligible student riders (K-12) for home-to-school and for school-to-home each day. There will be one arrival time during the morning and one dismissal time during the afternoon for each campus.