Attention, Deer Park drivers! Please mark your calendars for August 23, the start of the new school year and the date when new school zone times will go into effect!
According to Jason Meredith, Administrative Sergeant with the Deer Park Police Department, an amendment to the Texas Education Code has allowed school districts to slightly extend the school day, which will impact the period when school zone speed limits are active.
Drivers are advised that all afternoon school zones within the City of Deer Park will be active from 2:45 p.m. through 4:15 p.m. as of August 23. There will be no changes to the morning school zone times, which will remain in effect from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
“House Bill 2610, which was passed during the 84th Texas Legislature, amended the Texas Education Code regarding how school districts plan instructional calendars,” Meredith said. “The new law allows districts to plan calendars using instructional minutes instead of instructional days. This change has allowed the Deer Park Independent School District to extend school hours by 15 minutes in the afternoon.
“The added minutes will occur at the end of the day and should be an easy transition for the students.”
Within the City of Deer Park, the majority of school zones carry a 20 mile per hour speed limit. Drivers are encouraged to look for signage indicating the posted speed limits of local school zones. City Council also passed an ordinance in 2015 banning the use of mobile devices while driving.
“The Deer Park Police Department looks forward to working with the Deer Park Independent School District to provide a safe environment for students and motorists alike,” Meredith said.
