Hays County Launches School Zone Safety Program

Local officials concerned with enhancing school zone safety show off the vehicle starring in the County’s new School Zone Safety Program. Left to right, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School Head of School Marsha Acock, J.D., Precinct 3 Deputy Constable Travis Brown and Constable Darrell Ayres, WISD School Board President and Wimberley EMS Director Ken Strange and Jennifer Anderson, Precinct 3 Executive Assistant to Commissioner Will Conley.

Hays County Launches School Zone Safety Program

Anyone wanting a sneak peak at the vehicle designed to encourage drivers to obey the speed limit in school zones will have that opportunity at the Wimberley VFW Pro Open Rodeo grounds July 2-4 courtesy of the Precinct 3 Constable’s Office. The Hays County School Zone Speed Safety Camera Program van, equipped with advanced 2D ranging radar technology and two high-resolution color cameras, will soon be monitoring vehicle speeds through school zones as a pilot program in the two precincts.

“Speeding through school zones is a serious threat to our children,” Precinct 3 Constable Darrell Ayres said. “A child hit by a car has a better chance of survival the slower the car is moving, which is why school zones exist. Our goal is to have a presence at school zones to remind drivers to obey the speed limit, even when a law enforcement officer is not directly monitoring the zone.”

In February the Hays County Commissioners Court approved partnering with American Traffic Solutions (ATS) for the Precincts 3 and 4 pilot program. The program in Hays County will involve parking a small van with the words “Photo Enforcement” stenciled on its side at selected school zones in unincorporated areas during school hours. The specially equipped van can detect vehicles speeding through the school zone in both directions and photograph their license plates. The innovative, high-tech solution will not require a law enforcement officer to be present at the school zone, freeing up law enforcement resources for other tasks.

“We’re looking forward to using this solution to improve our school zone safety and creating a safer environment for our children and families,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Will Conley said.

During drop-off and pickup times, vehicles traveling 6 mph over the speed limit could be issued a $150 ticket. However, during the remaining hours of the school day tickets are issued to vehicles moving at 11 mph over the speed limit. If a speeding vehicle is detected, images of the vehicle’s license plate along with data showing its location, speed and other necessary information is collected and securely processed.

“St. Stephen’s Episcopal School is on a heavily traveled section of FM 3237 with a 60 mph speed limit,” Marsha Acock, J.D., Head of School, said. “It is imperative for the safety of our students and families that school zone speed limits be observed, and we are grateful to Hays County for this program.”

Wimberley ISD School Board President Ken Strange, who is also director of Wimberley EMS, knows all too well the dangers caused by the interaction of speeding vehicles and school children. “There is a reason that traffic is supposed to slow for school zones and I think this program will help immensely to encourage drivers to be aware of school zones and to obey the speed limit.”

A 15-day warning period will begin July 15 at schools in Precinct 3 that hold summer school sessions. During this introductory time, drivers are encouraged to adjust their behavior so they comply with the posted speed limit. Drivers who break the law during this phase of the program will be issued a warning without a fine. Tickets with fines will be issued after the warning period ends. The ticket does not tack on points against a driver’s license, and an appeals process is available should anyone challenge the violation.

ATS will receive 75 percent of any fines collected during the first year of the two-year contract and 40 percent for the second year, with the remainder going to Hays County. The Commissioners Court will review the program after two years to determine whether it should be continued.