Drivers Urged To Slow Down As Tulsa Students Head Back To Class

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OKLAHOMA -- Oklahoma's school children are heading back to class, including Tulsa, where students return to school on Monday. That means kids, cars and a lot of congestion in school zones near you.

Tulsa's mayor, the Tulsa Police Department and AAA held a news conference Thursday, August 19, 2010 urging drivers to slow down and pay attention.

Tulsa Police said its traffic units, motorcycle units and patrol units will be out in full force Monday to make sure children make it to school safely.

"If you are stopped for speeding in a school zone, it is a book to court, it's not a monetary fine," Officer Craig Murray said. "If you pass a school bus with lights activated, the sign out, it is a book to court, not a monetary fine."

More than half of Oklahoma's students are in elementary school and AAA hopes it's "School's Open, Drive Carefully" campaign will help keep them safe.

"There are a lot of precious young lives out there and it only takes one moment of inattention to have a tragedy and we wanna make sure that doesn't happen," said Neal Krueger, AAA Oklahoma.

AAA urges motorists to:

• Follow the speed limit.

• Look for AAA School Safety Patrollers

• Come to a complete stop at intersections with stop signs.

• Always stop for loading or unloading school busses.

• Eliminate driver distraction.

• Plan Ahead.