Buda Releases Back To School Traffic Safety, Road Construction Information

The City of Buda released the following in preparation for the new school year to start giving parents and drivers a quick look at the road construction impacting school routes.

As summer comes to an end for students and the 2019 – 2020 school year begins, officials said they wanted to take this opportunity to talk about back to school traffic safety. The first day of school for Hays CISD is Thursday, August 15, 2019.

Some private schools, including Santa Cruz Catholic School, start on Monday, August 12, 2019. Drivers are asked to please prepare for increased traffic around Buda area schools and watch out for construction near Buda Elementary School, Tom Green Elementary, and Elm Grove Elementary.

The speed limit in a school zone is 25 MPH. Speeding in a school zone is considered a Class C Misdemeanor and could carry a hefty fine.

If you are new to the area or your children are attending a new school this year, please familiarize yourself with the drop-off and pick-up areas at your child’s school.

“It takes a couple of weeks for drivers to get back into the routine,” said Hays CISD Public Information Officer Tim Savoy. “Please be on the lookout for school zone signals and always obey the speed limits. You should also anticipate children walking and bicycling to school.”

Here is a link to the Hays ISD School Bell Schedule:  Hays ISD School Bell Schedule

Due to construction around Buda Elementary, Hays CISD has provided road construction information and a traffic control map. 

Buda Elementary Traffic Information for Back to School

Buda Elementary School Traffic Control Map

Construction is also ongoing on Old Goforth Road near Tom Green Elementary. Officials said they are nearing the end of Old Goforth Road improvement project.

Initial paving will occur Friday and Saturday (August 9-10, 2019) to permit one-way only traffic from North to South (from the intersection of FM 2001 and CR 119 south to the intersection of CR 119 and CR 133).

No cross traffic from side streets will be permitted. Drivers and parents will able to turn left on Tom Green School Road from Old Goforth. Traffic signs will be in place. 

Safety Tips from the National Center for Safe Routes to Schools 

• Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits, both in school zones and in neighborhoods surrounding the school.  
• Comply with local school drop-off and pick-up procedures. 
• Avoid double parking or stopping on crosswalks to let children out of the car. Double parking will block visibility for other children and other motorists. Visibility is further reduced during the rain and fog seasons when condensation forms on car windows.  
• Avoid loading or unloading children at locations across the street from the school. This forces children to unnecessarily cross busy streets.  
• Prepare to stop for a school bus when overhead yellow lights are flashing. Drive with caution when you see yellow hazard warning lights are flashing on a bus.  
• Stop for a school bus with its red overhead lights flashing, regardless of the direction from which the driver is approaching. Drivers must not proceed until the school bus resumes motion and the red lights stop flashing. 
• Watch for children walking or bicycling (both on the road and the sidewalk).
• Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops. Watch for children arriving late for the bus, who may dart into the street without looking for traffic.  
• Watch for children walking or biking to school when backing up (out of a driveway or leaving a garage).