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Aug. 6, 2024 - The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission celebrated the start of a new school year on Tuesday by holding a “Back-to-School Pep Rally for Safety” at Central High School to remind drivers to be careful around school zones and school buses.
Students in many Louisiana school districts start classes on Thursday. LHSC Executive Director Lisa Freeman said drivers sometimes need a reminder at the beginning of the year to watch out for school zones and school buses.
“We all need to buckle up, physically and mentally,” Freeman said. “We all need to get in the right frame of mind behind the wheel to protect these children as they begin a new school year.”
Freeman also read a proclamation from Governor Jeff Landry that declared Tuesday "Back to School Safety Awareness Day" in Louisiana.
Joining Freeman were Central Community Schools System Superintendent Dr. Jason Fountain; Louisiana State Police Assistant Superintendent and Chief of Staff Lt. Colonel Frank Besson; Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Joe Donahue; and Louisiana Department of Education Safe and Healthy Schools Director Michael Comeaux.
Members of the Central High School Cheer Team and marching band drumline kicked off the event by cheering, drumming, and marching into the school’s union meeting space, lending the event a pep rally atmosphere. Speakers encouraged all drivers to approach highway safety from a positive standpoint.
“What a great way to begin the year and remind everyone to slow down around school zones and keep an eye out for school buses,” Freeman said. “We’re all looking forward to a productive and safe school year throughout Louisiana.”
Superintendent Fountain, who has been with the high-ranking Central Community Schools for 15 years, urged all drivers to heed school zone speed limits. Exact school zone times vary with each school’s hours, but they generally are in effect approximately 45 minutes before school begins and 45 minutes after the school day has ended.
“I know it still feels like summer, but school is back,” Fountain said. “Please, slow down in school zones and be patient around school buses.”
Lt. Colonel Besson reminded all drivers that state law prohibits the use of hand-held cell phones in active school zones. A first-offense violation can cost a driver a fine of $500; a second-offense violation can cost a driver up to $1,000 and a 60-day driver's license suspension.
Secretary Donahue said DOTD is improving the state's infrastructure and working to enhance safety measures for all pedestrians, including students. "Together, with local municipalities, DOTD is committed to creating and prioritizing safe school zones, ensuring that every child can safely return to and from school."
Comeaux cited a recently released survey that estimates more than 251,000 illegal passings of school buses occur in the country every day. The survey, issued by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, included one-day logs from nearly 100,000 school bus drivers around the country, including Louisiana.
(Note: Scroll down to view a compilation of video clips, courtesy of the Bossier Parish School System, that shows drivers' passing stopped school buses. Members of the media can download the clip here.)
“Lack of awareness by the motoring public and the illegal passing of school buses remain a serious danger for school-aged children as they travel by bus to and from school each day,” Comeaux said.
Freeman also reminded drivers to watch for children running to and from the bus stop in the mornings and afternoons.
“Kids do not come with stop signs or flashing lights, and they are not thinking about being safe,” Freeman said. “They are not looking out for you. Are you looking out for them? The answer must be a resounding ‘yes,’ during the school year and beyond.”
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