The Picayune School District resumes classes today, which means more vehicles, school buses and young pedestrians walking to and from school will populate the roadways. With that in mind, Picayune Police Chief Bryan Dawsey would like to remind the community to be wary of road and school zone safety to ensure everyone stays safe on the roadways this school year.

“We will have many of our officers running radar out in school zones and patrolling the areas around schools starting Thursday,” Dawsey said.

The increase in police patrol means motorists will be fined if they’re caught speeding in a school zone during school hours or not obeying the rules of the road, Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.

The school zone speed limit is 20 miles per hour and is enforced on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Motorists caught speeding in a school zone during those hours will receive double the fine for a violation, Magri said.

Many parents can also take preemptive measures to ensure their children, who walk to and from school, stay safe by using the designated crosswalks.

“Drivers should also pay close attention to the designated crosswalks because some children may not use it. We ask that people slow down and pay attention,” Magri said.

When it comes to school buses, all four-lanes of traffic must stop when a bus is stopped on the roadway.

Motorists are encouraged to call the Picayune Police Department at 601-798-7411 if they see a vehicle not obeying traffic laws or driving past a stopped school bus loading and unloading children.

The buses are equipped with two-way radios, which allow bus drivers to report any traffic violations to school resource officers stationed throughout different schools in the district.  People are asked to get a vehicle description and tag number if possible, Magri said.

Officers from the Picayune Police Department plan to enforce roadway safety near and around schools throughout the school year, Magri said.