The City of Round Rock and the Round Rock Police Department remind motorists to be on the lookout for school zones in effect as local schools begin their academic calendars.

Classes at Round Rock ISD will begin on Thursday, Aug. 16. Drivers should be especially careful when driving as children walk between schools and their homes in the mornings and afternoon.

Motorists are urged to obey school zone signs as speed limits can vary. Drivers are also prohibited from making phone calls or texting while driving in school zones unless doing so from a hands-free device.

The Texas Transportation Code states that it is illegal to pass any school bus that is stopped and showing flashing red lights or a stop sign, and motorists may not proceed until the school bus resumes motion. This applies to vehicles traveling on both sides of the roadway if no median is present to divide oncoming traffic.