In school zone, refrain from cell phone

Day one of any public school year can be hectic and emotional.  Oconee schools start a new year on Monday morning, and here are some tips to stay safe and make the adjustment as smooth as possible.

·      If you are traveling in a motor vehicle on a two lane road, you are required to come to a complete stop if a school bus has deployed its stop sign and its red lights flashing as it either picks up or drops off students.  This is regardless of which lane of the two lane road you may be traveling.  On a roadway with four or more lanes, you are required to stop for a stopped school bus if you traveling in the same direction as the school bus, however, you are not required to stop by law if you are traveling in the opposite direction approaching the stopped school bus.  There are fines and points assessed on your license if you violate the law regarding a stopped school bus.

·      You are asked to observe the flashing speed limit signs that are posted in the school zones during the select times when the signs are flashing in the morning and afternoon hours.  If you are caught speeding during these times in a school zone, you will be ticketed.  Please watch for students, crossing guards, officers directing traffic and individuals picking up and dropping off students during these times.

·      Especially for the first few weeks after school begins, please allow for extra time when picking up and dropping off students as all motorists will need time to get acquainted with the traffic patterns in the school zones.

·      Since it has been a few months since the end of the previous school year, take time to watch out for students at the bus stops, especially during the first few weeks of school.

“The safety of our students and staff is priority one for the School District,” says Dr. Michael Thorsland, Superintendent of Education with the School District of Oconee County.  “We encourage you to please take extra care as you drive to school beginning on Monday.  In addition to the tips from the Sheriff’s Office and as Sheriff Crenshaw mentioned, we ask that you also minimize distractions by not using your cell phone while in a school zone. Sheriff Crenshaw and his staff, along with the officers from our municipalities and the SC Highway Patrol, are wonderful partners with the School District and we appreciate their continued support.”