Shreveport Police Department

PO Box P · Shreveport, LA 71161 · 318/673-6932 · Fax: 318/673-6933

www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: Aug. 15, 2000

Contact: Kacee Hargrave, Public Information Officer

318/673-6932

Shreveport police focus on school zones

Residents may be running late for work in the morning, but the Shreveport Police Department is warning them not to speed through school zones.

As the school year begins tomorrow in Caddo Parish, police will be running radar in school zones in an effort to slow down traffic.

"The main reason we're going to be out there is to remind citizens what the speed limits are in school zones and to make sure the children are safe to and from school. It's a priority for us," said Lt. Mike VanSant of SPD's Traffic Bureau. "In the school year, we get out there and hit the school zones in the mornings and afternoons."

So far this year, 376 citations have been given to drivers speeding through school zones. In 1999, 631 drivers received citations.

Fines for speeding in school zones vary depending on how fast a driver is going. Speeds of one to 10 miles per hour over the posted school zone speed limit bring a $113 fine. Speeding 11 to 15 miles per hour over the speed limit is a $128 fine. Speeds 16 to 20 miles per hour in excess of the limit bring a $145 fine, and any speeds 21 miles per hour or more require drivers to appear in court.

"We don't want anyone getting a ticket, but we want our children to be safe," said Police Chief Jim Roberts.

In addition to school zones, drivers are urged to use caution around school buses. Law requires cars to stop on both sides of the street during loading and unloading of buses whenever the buses are showing red blinking lights.

- spd -