Huntsville Police Department launches Zero in the Zone safety initiative

The Huntsville Police Department has launched its annual month-long safety campaign, Zero in the Zone, which aims to protect students and safety patrol aides within school zones.

The campaign runs from August 5 (first day of school) to August 31, and will see additional officers and aides placed in school zones during peak traffic hours.

“One mistake in a school zone is one too many. Our goal isn’t simply to write citations. It’s to change driver behavior and make sure every student arrives at school and returns home safely.”

_{HPD Special Operations Division Commander Captain, Tony McElyea}

The Huntsville Police Department provided the following information regarding its 2024 and 2025 campaigns, which shows an increase of enforcement from year-to-year:

• 📅 2024: 146 traffic stops | 93 citations | 54 warnings
• 📅 2025: 249 traffic stops | 234 citations | 72 warnings

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Huntsville Police Department guidelines for Zero in the Zone

Here are specific guidelines provided by the Huntsville Police Department on how to best protect students in school zones:

• 🚨Slow down and stay alert: Use extra caution within school zones + always obey orders from officers or aides
• 🚌Come to a complete stop for buses: You must come to a complete stop when a school bus’s arms are extended, regardless of which direction you’re traveling
• ⌛Give yourself extra time: Plan ahead and avoid school zones when possible
• 🅿️Avoid cutting through parking lots: This can very easily put students at risk (and is also illegal)
• 🤳Put the phone down: Distracted drivers can create dangerous situations + violates Huntsville’s Hands-Free Ordinance

Following these five simple guidelines — especially the last one — can make a real difference in making sure students and safety patrol aides are safe this school year.

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