Franklin, TN – Starting Wednesday, and throughout the coming weeks, drivers in Franklin will see stepped-up patrols, along with strict speed zone and crosswalk enforcement.

As Franklin Special School District children prepare for their first day of school tomorrow, Franklin Police are prepared to be sure that they get there safely. Officers will be at every school, closely monitoring speed zones and ensuring that motorists obey crossing guards. “Our goal is to provide highly visible patrols and enforcement at each of the schools in Franklin,” said Sergeant David Prather of the Department’s Traffic Unit.

Most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related crashes are pedestrians, four to seven years old, who are hit by the bus or by motorists illegally passing a stopped school bus. Officers throughout the City will be closely monitoring in-transit busses, citing drivers who disregard bus’ flashing red lights and stop signs.

Motorists should anticipate slow-moving traffic in and around school zones. To avoid being late to your destination, police recommend leaving a little earlier than usual. Parents are encouraged to talk to their children tonight about safely crossing the street and walking through parking lots.

Chief Deborah Faulkner’s advice to motorists: “Be alert, and obey the law. Our officers will be out in force, saturating school zones and surrounding areas. Violators can expect to be cited.”

The minimum fine for speeding in a school zone
or illegally passing a stopped school bus:
$139.75

Williamson County Schools students start back on Friday, and Franklin Police will have the same dedicated focus in those school zones later this week.

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