First day of school for AISD students
It's the first day of school for thousands of AISD students and there's a lot going on not just for the kids.
All the students returning to school also means a lot of school buses out on the road. If you see the flashing stop sign on the bus make sure to stop or it could cost you.
Buses are picking up eager students but there's warning for drivers. Stop or get ready to pay a $300 fine.
The citations aren't just about breaking the law it's also about safety for all the kids loading and unloading from buses.
Children can be hard to see sometimes so all drivers should stop as soon as they see that flashing stop sign regardless of what direction they're traveling in. Drivers can continue once the flashing lights stop or the bus driver signals that it's okay to pass.
Many violators are being caught on new bus cameras recording them as they speed by. At least 300 buses have the cameras installed.
APD is increasing the number of officers patrolling school zones for people who are speeding, using cell phones or driving aggressively. That initiative runs through next week.
As for the students, remember that a new state law that measures the school day in minutes instead of days means there's a new bell schedule for all AISD students.
- Elementary schools - 7:45 a.m. to 2:57 p.m.
- Middle schools - 8:25 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.
- High schools - 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The new schedule of course mans that more buses will be on the roads during rush hour.