School traffic off to good, safe start in Abbeville

Lights began flashing once again in school zones Monday and drivers reacted accordingly.
Abbeville Police Chief Tony Hardy said Tuesday morning that the first day of school resulted in no major incidents with drivers.
“There was some traffic backed up at one of the schools,” Hardy said Tuesday morning. “Nothing else major happened.”
Hardy had 10 officers working during the first day. That will continue.
“We will have that many at least through the next week or so,” Hardy said. “After about the first couple of weeks, drivers get back into a rhythm.”
One thing drivers will have to get permanently used to is a new Louisiana law that went into effect on Aug. 1
The law prohibits drives from using any type of handheld communications device while traveling through school zones during posted hours. For Vermilion Parish, those hours are form 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Drivers cannot talk while driving and holding the phone. Drivers are also prohibited from typing, sending or reading text messages, as well as posting to social media websites.
“I am definitely in favor of the law,” Hardy said. “I think it should be all over, though, not just around school zones.
“Hopefully this is the first step to something like that.”
It is certainly the right first step, according to the chief.
“You don’t want to take any chances when kids are involved,” Hardy said.
Drivers can use the cell phone with their hands if making a call in regards to an emergency. The cell-phone law also does not affect the use of hands-free devices. A driver lawfully parked in a school zone is also not violating the new law if he or she is using a hand-held phone.
The penalties for violating the law can be stiff. An initial violation can result in a fine of $175. Repeat offenders can see that fine jump to as high as $500.’
There is one reported hangup with the new law...it can only be enforced if there is a sign posted warning drivers of the cell phone ban. No such signs yet exist in Vermilion Parish. Those signs would have to be placed by the school district, parish or municipality.
The new law is in the name of student safety, something that Hardy said is of the utmost importance and something upon which most people would agree.
“We are off to a good start to the school year,” Hardy said. “Hopefully that is something that continues throughout the entire school year.”