Updated: August 04, 2017

WITH STUDENTS HEADED BACK TO CLASSROOMS THIS WEEK, THE TENNESSEE HIGHWAY PATROL URGES MOTORISTS TO UTILIZE EXTRA CAUTION IN SCHOOL ZONES, AROUND SCHOOL BUSES AND IN NEIGHBORHOODS DURING THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR.  STATE TROOPERS WILL WORK TO RAISE SCHOOL SAFETY AWARENESS AND TARGET TRAFFIC VIOLATORS - SPECIFICALLY THOSE WHO SPEED IN SCHOOL ZONES, DRIVE DISTRACTED AND DISREGARD STOPPED SCHOOL BUSES THAT ARE LOADING AND UNLOADING CHILDREN.  THE SPEED LIMIT IN MOST SCHOOL ZONES IS 15 MILES PER HOUR AND THE FINE FOR SPEEDING IN A SCHOOL ZONE IS UP TO $500.  IT IS ALSO AGAINST THE LAW TO PASS A SCHOOL BUS WHEN IT IS STOPPED AND TAKING ON OR DROPPING OFF PASSENGERS. DRIVERS CAN BE FINED NO LESS THAN $250 AND UP TO $1,000.