San Angelo Police and ISD Urge Caution as New School Year Begins

SAN ANGELO, TX - As the 2024-2025 school year kicks off, the San Angelo Police Department and San Angelo Independent School District are urging motorists to exercise caution in school zones and around school buses.

Both agencies have released reminders highlighting the importance of traffic safety as students return to campuses.

The SAPD stated that officers will be actively monitoring neighborhoods and areas where school buses operate. Drivers are reminded to adhere strictly to the Texas Traffic Code, with violations that threaten community safety potentially resulting in fines. Key recommendations from SAPD include slowing down in school zones, making complete stops at stop signs, avoiding distractions such as cell phones, and ensuring children are dropped off and picked up in designated areas.

In a similar message, the SAISD has asked parents and drivers to allow extra time during their morning commutes, as school-zone speed limits will be enforced. They also highlighted the necessity of stopping for school buses that have their red flashing lights and stop signs extended, regardless of the direction from which a vehicle is approaching. Drivers are required to stop at least 20 feet from the bus, remaining stopped until the bus resumes motion.

The district provided additional guidance on when to stop for a school bus, depending on the type of road. On two-lane roads and multi-lane roads without a physical divider, vehicles traveling in both directions must stop. However, on divided highways with a physical barrier or median, only vehicles behind the bus are required to stop.