As students across North Texas prepare to return to class, school zones will soon become busy again with buses, car lines, walkers, bicycles, e-bikes, and scooters. Even if you do not have a child returning to school, everyone on the road has a role in helping students arrive safely.
Slow Down in School-Zones
School-zone speed limits may be active only during certain hours, often indicated by flashing lights or posted signs. Pay close attention, reduce your speed promptly, and avoid assuming a school zone is inactive simply because you do not immediately see children.
During the first few weeks of school, traffic patterns may be unfamiliar. Drivers may stop suddenly, turn unexpectedly, or slow down while searching for a drop-off entrance. Leave extra space between vehicles and allow more time for your trip. Avoid double-parking, blocking crosswalks, stopping in traffic lanes, or allowing children to exit a vehicle where they must cross moving traffic.
Drivers should also stay off their phones and avoid other distractions. A child can appear in the roadway in only a moment. A few minutes of patience can help prevent a serious accident.
Expect Children Where You May Not See Them
Children do not always behave predictably around traffic. They may step into the street from between parked vehicles, run back for something they dropped, or follow a friend without checking for cars.
Watch carefully near:
- Crosswalks and intersections
- School entrances and parking lots
- Bus stops
- Residential streets near campuses
- Cars parked along the roadway
- Driveways that cross sidewalks
When approaching a crosswalk, slow down and be prepared to stop. Never pass a vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian.
Electric Bikes and Scooters
More students than ever are traveling to school on e-bikes and e-scooters. These devices can move faster than a traditional bicycle and may approach an intersection, driveway, or crosswalk more quickly than a driver expects. They can also be difficult to hear, and are often being ridden by young, inexperienced "drivers."
Before turning or backing out of a driveway, check the street and sidewalk carefully. Look more than once before crossing a bike lane or sidewalk, and be especially cautious when visibility is blocked by parked cars, landscaping, or other vehicles.
Young riders should be encouraged to:
- Wear a properly fitted helmet
- Slow down near pedestrians and intersections
- Obey traffic signs and signals
- Never assume a driver has seen them
Families should also review local school and community rules regarding where e-bikes and scooters may be ridden or parked.
Remember School Bus Safety
Drivers should be prepared for buses making frequent stops in neighborhoods and near schools. Leave plenty of following distance and watch for flashing lights and stop signs.
Children may cross the street before boarding or after leaving a bus, so continue watching carefully even after the bus begins moving again.
Local District Start Dates
Local school districts begin classes on different dates, so drivers may encounter active school zones earlier than expected. Before heading out, take note of the start dates for schools in your area, but confirm with your local school calendars as dates can change:
Allen ISD Thursday, August 13, 2026
Arlington ISD Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Dallas ISD Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Denton ISD Thursday, August 13, 2026
Fort Worth ISD Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Frisco ISD Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Garland ISD Monday, August 10, 2026
Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Mansfield ISD Wednesday, August 12, 2026
McKinney ISD Thursday, August 13, 2026
Richardson ISD Wednesday, August 12, 202
A Shared Responsibility
The return to school affects more than students, families, and teachers. It changes traffic patterns throughout the community.
As classes begin, leave a little earlier, slow down near schools, expect the unexpected, and watch carefully for children walking or riding nearby.
A few extra seconds of attention and patience could help protect a child and make the start of the school year safer for everyone.
