News Summary
A new law in Louisiana introduces bright yellow markings and speed cameras in school zones to improve traffic safety for students.
Shreveport, Louisiana — A new law enhancing safety measures in school zones has taken effect, aiming to improve traffic conditions for students and decrease the risk of accidents. The law, which becomes fully operational on August 1, 2025, stipulates that all school zones in Louisiana must have visible bright yellow stripes on roads to indicate their entrance, alongside additional signage to warn drivers about the presence of speed cameras.
Enforcement of these new measures is already underway in Shreveport, where local authorities have begun implementing visible markings. Speed enforcement cameras are increasingly being utilized, which allow the Shreveport Police Department to reduce the number of officers required to monitor school zones directly. This shift in approach enables officers to allocate more time to respond to and investigate other calls for service, enhancing overall safety and efficacy in community policing.
Under the new law, motorists caught speeding in school zones will be subject to fines starting at $150, with penalties increasing for higher speeds. Adherence to speed limits during school hours—typically in the mornings and mid-afternoons—is strongly encouraged to maintain safety. Violations may result in citations being issued by police officers on-site, or through the automated camera system capturing evidence of the infraction during designated hours.
The operation of speed zone cameras is integral to the city’s safety initiative. Citations generated by the cameras are mailed to the registered owners of vehicles, ensuring accountability even in the absence of direct police engagement at the time of the violation. The city’s mayor underscores that ticketing will occur regardless of whether cameras are actively monitoring the areas, emphasizing a strict approach to speeding violations.
Implementing these safety measures involves significant investment, with an expenditure of approximately $116,000 allocated for the installation of visible markings and deployment of camera technology. Full operation of speed zone cameras is contingent upon compliance with these new requirements; should necessary adjustments not be completed prior to the school year, the cameras will remain inactive.
It is important to note that the new law restricts the use of traffic enforcement cameras solely to school zones and prohibits their use at traffic signals, which impacts potential plans for further installations in Shreveport. This limitation comes amidst staffing challenges within the Shreveport Police Department, which currently operates with fewer officers than optimal for traditional traffic law enforcement. To address this shortfall, officers will concentrate efforts on known trouble spots for speeding, with supplementary funding available for overtime aimed at increasing traffic law enforcement presence.
The Shreveport Police Department has established a dedicated traffic bureau consisting of around 25 officers tasked specifically with enforcing speed regulations and addressing traffic safety issues. With the introduction of new signage, road markings, and technology, the law aims to fortify the safety of children during school hours, by increasing driver awareness and reinforcing compliance with speed limits in sensitive areas.
As this law takes hold, its effectiveness in improving safety in school zones will be closely monitored by authorities, with the overarching goal of creating a safer environment for students and pedestrians across Louisiana.
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Additional Resources
- KTAL News: Speeding Citations in School Zones
- Wikipedia: Traffic Safety
- KSLA: Shreveport Police Reminds Drivers
- Google Search: School Zone Safety
- KTBS: Thousands of Caddo Students Return to Class
- Google Scholar: School Zone Traffic Safety
- Eastern Progress: School Zone Safety
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Enforcement
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: Mayor’s Speeding Enforcement
- Google News: Shreveport Traffic Enforcement
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
