Houstonist PSA: Don't run down schoolkids

So you know what today is, right? If you answered "the first day of school," go to the head of the class: HISD's more than 210,000 students will be headed back to school today, and though Houstonist (thankfully) no longer has to load up our Trapper Keeper and trudge off to class, we do have to worry about something else now that we're all grown up: school zones. Specifically, not speeding through them, as KHOU advises against doing:

Houston area schools are beginning their school year and the Houston Police Department wants to remind drivers to use caution and slow down while driving through school safety zones, or face serious penalties.

HPD patrol and motorcycle officers will be positioned at designated areas keeping a watchful eye on drivers who are placing children at risk by exceeding the posted school zone speed limit.

Of course, the big problem is that, at least in the school zones we regularly pass through, 90 percent of drivers don't slow down at all, so we're constantly worried that we'll get run down as we creep along at 20 mph. A lot of school zones are marked by those handy flashing lights these days, which makes the rules a lot more simple: When the lights are flashing, you slow down. It's not hard, and it can help you avoid a fine between $200 and $1,000 (or, if you're a repeat offender, you could have your license revoked for up to six months). If you see a set of flashing lights that isn't working, by the way, call 311 and let them know.

In addition to the school zones, look out for kids on the street in general — they have a way of running out from between parked cars and bouncing off your hood when you least expect it. And remember, you have to stop for school buses that are loading or unloading students: It's illegal to drive past a school bus that has its lights flashing or a stop sign out until the bus starts moving again, the signal is turned off or the bus driver waves you past.