With the new school year beginning, public safety officials in Howard are taking extra precautions to ensure residents’ awareness and alertness on the roadways.
The Howard County Police Department (HCPD) has launched the Helping Arriving Students Through Enforcement (H.A.S.T.E.) program around public schools in the jurisdiction. As students prepare to return to school this week, public safety officials are working to ensure that children, parents, and teachers arrive safely. This effort focuses on enforcement but comes with a significant educational component as well, particularly for young drivers.
From the press release:
Increased traffic patrols will be in place on roadways surrounding elementary, middle and high schools for the first three weeks of the school year. Officers will focus on drivers who are speeding, failing to stop for pedestrians or driving distracted in those areas. They also will be checking for seat belt and child safety seat use to ensure all occupants are properly restrained.
Police are also reminding drivers that automated enforcement tools, such as cameras, are being used in school zones and on buses serving the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS). The camera locations that are not attached to buses are rotated among various school zones in the county but are posted in advance and updated every week at hcpd.org.
Additionally, new lighted stop signs have been distributed to all crossing guards in an effort to improve visibility and the safety of students and guards. The signs were purchased with revenue collected through HCPD’s Automated Enforcement Program. While a renewed educational campaign is underway, the police department will continue to conduct traffic safety awareness and enforcement education efforts throughout the school year.
