Police adding patrols in school zones

KXAN (Austin) - Heading back to school is a fun and exciting time. Police and school and city leaders want to make sure it's a safe time too.

Austin Police Department announced the kick off of its back-to-school safety initiative Friday, in advance of the first day of school in Austin on Monday.

Dozens of parents, students, teachers and city leaders gathered outside Zilker Elementary School for the start of this year's school zone safety initiative.

In all school zones drivers will see signs posted prohibiting cellphone use, and police warn they're not to be taken lightly.

Over the next couple of weeks officers will be patrolling school zones especially close to make sure drivers are obeying the laws.

The initiative will focus on enforcing the following violations:  

• Prohibited cell phone use in a school zone  
• Speeding in a school zone
• Passing a school bus
• Disregarding a crossing guard

At Zilker Elementary School, they have a unique way to start the year. The city unveiled a new "cycle track" along the school route in front of the school.

For parents of students there it's an added bonus.

"My son's an incoming kindergartner, and this bike lane is awesome because it's really going to keep the traffic separated from the kids," says Angelica Evans. "There's a lot of traffic and pedestrian traffic, so to separate it -- that is great."

APD Chief Art Acevedo warned in addition to being fined for using a cellphone in a school zone, drivers also can face a fine of $500 for texting and driving in a school zone.