Police issue warnings for start of school - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Police issue warnings for start of school

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By Dave Miller - email
APD Corporal Jon Segroves APD Corporal Jon Segroves

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Dougherty County students return to school Monday, August 6, 2012. Motorists need to know that school zone enforcement starts as well.

Albany Police Officers will be out in force Monday morning, and remind the driving public that they will strictly enforce the posted speed limits.

They say that school zones have staggered times for lowered speed limits, and that the times are posted on road signs in the school zones.

Albany Police want drivers to make sure Monday they look for those school zone signs, because starting as early as 7:15 the speed limit is lowered in elementary school areas, and cops say they will be enforcing those lower speed limits.

 "We're strict about it because the safety of the children. There is no reason to be in a hurry that could cost a child it's life in his school zone. One or two minutes is not going to make that difference in your day," said APD Corporal Jon Segroves.

Once again Dougherty County schools will start at staggered times. Elementary school zones start at 7:15, and high school zones continue as late as 8:45. In the afternoon, they could be enforced from 2:15 until 4:45. Some cross walks cover multiple schools, so they may be activated for a good part of the day. Police urge you to stay aware of the times on the signs.

 "The school zones are properly marked. The times are on the signs, along with the speed limit for that area," Segroves said.

School buses will start rolling at 6:00AM Monday, and drivers need to watch for kids darting into the roads.

"We're going to have a lot of new students," said Kenneth Williams, the Dougherty County Schools Director of Transportation.  "First graders. Kindergartners. Their first day, so they are going to be excited. We want the public to insure they are watching for all of their students. Make sure they arrive at school safely."

Bus drivers ask that the students stay 12 feet off the roadway until the bus stops and the door opens. Buses will put out that red flag and flashing lights when they stop. Police say drivers should stop in both directions, unless it's a divided highway.

"Tickets will be written Monday. There is not going to be any warning or grace period. This school zone starts and the ticket enforcement will start for speeding through school zones," Segroves said.

Albany Police say student safety is their top priority,so they want drivers to slow down and be aware.

Officer remind drivers that traffic must stop in both directions when a school bus is stopped and its red flashing lights are activated, except on a divided highway.

Georgia Highway Safety officials estimate that four thousand times every school day across the state someone violates the law by not stopping for a school bus. They are urging drivers to be more cautious this year.

If you are ticketed for speeding in a school zone in Albany the first time, there is a $190 fine in municipal court on top of the speeding violation fines. If you have a second violation in a five year period, it's even higher.

 

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