Student safety top of mind as Austin ISD goes back to school
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Safety for students is a top priority as the area's largest school district goes back to the classroom Tuesday morning.
You have likely heard the back-to-school safety messaging many times in the past, but unfortunately, the reminder and focus are still greatly needed.
Last year in Texas, there were 748 crashes in school zones, 2,523 crashes that involved school buses, and 11 of those crashes were deadly. The Texas Department of Transportation said the most common cause of those crashes was speeding and distracted driving.
With so much growth in the region and construction projects, your drive may look different this year. In southeast Austin, drivers will encounter a new school zone beacon and pedestrian crossing as part of the city of Austin's Safe Routes to School program.
The Safe Routes to School Program is funded by the 2016 mobility bond and the 2020 bond.
The 2016 mobility bond included $27.5 million for Safe Routes to School, which will be divided evenly between all 10 Austin City Council districts.
The 2020 bond includes an additional $20 million for high-priority Safe Routes to School projects across the city.
The program has brought new bike lanes, new sidewalks, safer street crossings and prioritized ADA accessibility standards to school zones across Austin.
To check out the projects in your neighborhood, click here.