In Texas, nothing is more important than the safety of our children. Yet, every year, countless students are injured simply trying to get to and from school. 

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, there were 748 school zone crashes in 2023 alone. These incidents often result of speeding, distracted driving, and failure to yield the right of way. 

Parents should know the right steps to take to push for safer school zones, so they can help bring about the necessary changes to protect their children. 

Here’s a guide on how to advocate for safe school zones in your community.  

Identify Key Issues 

The first step to improving the safety of school zones in your community is to identify the main issues. Spend some time in your community school zone during peak hours. Note any recurring problems such as speeding, lack of crosswalks, or poor traffic procedures. 

You don’t have to do this alone. Odds are, you aren’t the only one frustrated with safety risks in your local school zones. Talk to community members and gather their opinions. Understanding how everyone else feels will help you find the main issues that need to be fixed.  

Plus, you’re more likely to see the changes you want made if you have the support of other community members behind you.  

Collect Data and Offer Solutions 

Take pictures of damaged roadways, faded crosswalks, or areas where speed limits are frequently ignored. You can even reach out to local law enforcement. They can help you gather statistics on accidents within the school zone. 

This data will allow you and your community to find solutions. Perhaps that’s dropping the speed limit in that area. Maybe more stop signs or yield signs need to be posted, or new sidewalks need to be put in place.  

Once you have identified the main issues within your school zone and have proof to back it up, start building your support. Create a petition for parents and educators to sign acknowledging they would like to see changes, too. 

Present Your Case 

The final step is to present your case to the right people in charge. This can be tricky because many different levels of government regulate school zones.  

For issues on school property, such as poor drop-off protocols, you’ll need to talk to the school board. Most school boards hold monthly meetings to address big things happening within the school year, and they are open to the public. This would be a great opportunity to express your concerns and present your data.  

For issues regarding school zone speed limits on state highways, you will need to send your request to the TxDOT district office with jurisdiction in your area. They will investigate the specific zone, collect their data, and fix the speed limit, if needed.  

For all other issues, including lack of sidewalks or bike paths on city streets, your main contact will most likely be your city officials. Attend public city hall meetings with the data you collected and encourage your community to join you. Remember, there’s power in numbers. 

Above all else, keep advocating for safer school zones. Keep pushing for the necessary changes, even if you don’t get an immediate response. Your children’s safety and health are worth fighting for.