It’s back-to-school week for most students and teachers in the Tri-State, and police are stressing safety.
Evansville Police officers, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s deputies, and EVSC officers say they will step-up traffic enforcement around schools and bus routes to help the school year get off to a safe start.
Police are reminding drivers of the new SAVE program, which stands for Stop-Arm Violation Enforcement.
The state of Indiana recently increased the penalty for recklessly disregarding a school bus stop arm from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class A Misdemeanor.
The offense becomes a Level 6 Felony if a child or other person is injured as a result.
Local police agencies say starting Wednesday, deputies and officers will be following school buses in both marked and unmarked vehicles looking for stop-arm violations.
At some schools, sheriff’s deputies will be assisting school personnel with traffic in and out of parking lots and drop off zones.
The Vanderburgh County Highway Department has placed large school zone warning signs near schools to help warn drivers.
Classes resume Wednesday in the Evansville Vanderburgh school district, as well as in Mt. Vernon, Henderson County, Owensboro, Daviess County, and North Gibson schools.
Classes start Thursday in Warrick County, North Posey, South Gibson, and East Gibson schools.
