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TxDOT RIO GRANDE VALLEY – After more than 3,200 traffic crashes in school zones or involving school buses last year, Texans are reminded to drive safe and smart
Why this matters
Traffic crashes in Texas school zones increased 12% from 2024 to 2025. As kids across the state head back to school this August, TxDOT is reminding drivers to slow down and stay alert around schools to help prevent crashes and save lives.
LOCAL/REGIONAL STATS:
In the *Pharr District in 2025, there were 78 traffic crashes in school zones, resulting in 1 fatality and no serious injuries.
The Pharr District includes the 8 southernmost counties of Texas.
While kids and families are gathering school supplies, Texas drivers should be gearing up for the return of school-related traffic. That means paying extra attention in school zones and always driving like a Texan: kind, courteous and safe.
Crashes rising in Texas school zones
School zones can be chaotic places, with people in a rush and children not always watching for cars while they hop on and off buses or in and out of cars. Drivers canbecome impatient or distracted, which leads to mistakes.
In 2025, there were 877 traffic crashes in Texas school zones, a 12% increase from the previous year. Also last year, 2,358 collisions involved school buses. Distracted driving and speeding were the most common contributing factors in these crashes.
To help keep kids safe, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is urging drivers to slow down, avoid distractions and follow the rules of the road during its Be Safe. Drive Smart. Back to School campaign. Parents and guardians can also help teachtheir kids about ways to stay safe when walking or biking to school.
Tips for driving in school zones
• Look for flashing school zone lights in the morning and afternoon and obey school zone speed limits. Traffic fines increase in school zones.
• Stay alert and put your phone out of reach. Using a handheld electronic device while driving in an active school zone is against the law.
• Stop and yield the right of way to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users in crosswalks. The Lisa Torry Smith Act of 2021 protects people in crosswalks and enhanced the penalties for failing to follow the law. Seriously injuring someone who is lawfully in a crosswalk is now a state jail felony.
• Know where to go. Drop off and pick up your kids in your school’s designated areas, not the middle of the street.
• Be on the lookout for children gathered at bus stops.
• Watch out for kids who might dart across the street or between vehicles.
Tips for sharing the road with school buses
• Follow school buses at a safe distance. Remember they make frequent stops.
• Keep an eye out for children exiting the bus and crossing the street.
• Stop for school buses. Do not pass a school bus if you see flashing red lights or an extended stop sign, regardless of which direction you’re headed, unless the bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway. Continue once the bus has moved, the lights stop flashing or the bus driver signals it’s okay to pass.
• Violations can result in a fine of up to $1,250 for a first offense.
Tips for children walking or biking to school
• Use sidewalks. If there’s not one, it’s best to walk on the left side of the street,facing traffic.
• Cross the street only at intersections or crosswalks. Wait for the walk signal and look left, right and left again before crossing.
• Pay close attention to crossing guards and obey their instructions.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. Never assume a driver sees you.
• Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or scooter.
• Stay alert. Phones or other devices are distracting and can take your eyes and ears off the road.
Be Safe. Drive Smart. is an important part of TxDOT’s Drive like a Texan: Kind. Courteous. Safe. initiative. Drive like a Texan is about embracing the pride, camaraderie and responsibility of being a Texan on the road. By making thoughtful choices, we can all help keep each other safe. Learn more at DriveLikeATexan.com.
Contact TxDOT Public Information Officer at Raymond.Pedraza@txdot.gov or (956) 279-5486.
The information contained in this report represents reportable data collected from the Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report (CR-3). This information was received and processed by the department as of June 30, 2026. To view additional traffic safety data, visit TxDOT’s Traffic Safety Data Portal online.
Information source: TxDOT
