by SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
As students return to class across the city, the Huntsville Police Department (HPD) is rolling out a month-long school zone traffic safety initiative dubbed “Zero in the Zone.” The campaign aims to increase driver awareness and step up enforcement of traffic laws in and around school zones during the busy back-to-school season.
The initiative, which launched at the beginning of August, will focus on speeding, distracted driving, illegal passing of school buses, and other violations that endanger students walking, biking, or boarding buses.
“We’re asking drivers to slow down, pay attention, and help keep our school zones safe,” said an HPD spokesperson. “One reckless moment can change a life.”
Officers will be stationed near elementary, middle, and high school campuses throughout the city during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup hours, using radar, marked patrol units, and school bus monitoring to identify violations. Flashing zone lights, crossing guards, and school zone signage will also be reviewed for consistency and visibility.
“Zero in the Zone” is part of HPD’s broader effort to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities under its Vision Zero framework, which aims for zero preventable traffic-related deaths.
Parents and school officials are encouraged to remind students of pedestrian safety basics, including using crosswalks, avoiding distractions, and following crossing guard directions.
With schools across Huntsville now in session, police and city leaders are urging all residents to stay alert and slow down—because in a school zone, the difference between a close call and a tragedy can come down to a single second.