By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

As a cost-cutting measure, the Hays USD 489 school board voted in May to reduce bus routes by no longer picking up students who live within 2.5 miles of their school.

As a result, “it’s put a lot more cars on the road,” according to School Resource Officer Tim Dreiling of the Hays Police Department.

Classes started Aug. 14.

“Vehicle traffic around the schools has increased dramatically,” said Dreiling. “There’s also a lot more kids walking to school and more of them are riding their bicycles”:

Dreiling encouraged drivers to be especially careful at school crosswalks.

“Basically, kids are just unpredictable, and they may walk or ride out or get pushed out into traffic,” he said.

Each USD 489 school has at least one school zone, marked with flashing lights.  Drivers must slow down in those areas or they can be ticketed.

“It’s also unlawful to pass a stopped school bus with its lights flashing,” Dreiling reminded drivers.