2025 Back to School Safety Guide: Protecting Our Rapides Parish Students from Preventable Accidents

As 26,000+ students return to Rapides Parish schools this August, Alexandria’s streets transform into bustling corridors of school buses, parent drop-offs, and young pedestrians excited about returning to class.

From Alexandria Senior High or Bolton High School to Pineville Elementary, the Alexandria and Pineville communities’ morning and afternoon routines now revolve around getting their children safely to and from school. The National Center for Education Statistics found that 39% of public schools believe traffic patterns around their school pose a risk to student health and safety. Unfortunately, recent studies rank Louisiana among the worst states in the nation for teen driver fatalities and child pedestrian fatalities.

At Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, we’ve represented too many Central Louisiana families whose lives were forever changed by preventable school-related accidents. This comprehensive safety guide addresses critical dangers facing students and provides actionable steps to help protect our children.

School Zone Traffic Safety: Protecting Students at Rapides Parish Schools

High-Risk School Zones in Alexandria/Pineville

Central Louisiana parents navigate hazardous school zones during drop-off and pickup times. Our most congested and accident-prone school areas to practice extra caution include:

  • Alexandria Senior High (Jackson Street) – Heavy traffic mixing with teen drivers, limited visibility during morning fog, and bad weather
  • Pineville High School (Highway 28 East and 167) – High-speed highway traffic transitioning to school zones with multiple access points
  • Peabody Magnet Middle School (Broadway/Downtown) – Downtown congestion, narrow streets, limited parking
  • D.F. Huddle Elementary (MacArthur Drive) – Residential speeding, work traffic congestion, dangerous crosswalks
  • Tioga High School (Highway 28 West) – Rural highway speeds near school entrances/exits

Critical School Zone Safety Rules

Louisiana law doubles fines in school zones, but enforcement alone doesn’t prevent tragedies. Follow these essential safety practices:

  • Arrive 10 minutes early to avoid rush stress and dangerous maneuvers
  • Never pass stopped school buses – Louisiana law requires stopping 30 feet away
  • Eliminate phone use in school zones – even hands-free calls reduce reaction time
  • Watch for children darting between cars in pickup lines and school exits
  • Respect crossing guards at schools and never pass a stopped vehicle near a school access point
  • Use designated drop-off zones only – never stop in traffic lanes or allow children to exit the vehicle on congested roads

As of August 2025, Louisiana’s new hands-free law bans all handheld cellphone use while driving anywhere in the state, not just in school zones.

School Bus Safety: Louisiana’s Hidden Danger

Rapides Parish School District operates 300+ routes transporting over 11,000 students. While bus transportation remains relatively statistically safe, the danger zone extends 10 feet outside and around every bus, where most fatalities tragically occur.

Morning Bus Stop Safety Tips and Laws for Louisiana Motorists

Whether your child catches the bus on Highway 165 or suburban streets in Alexandria, these rules should be non-negotiable:

  • Arrive at least 5 minutes early to avoid running towards moving buses
  • Stand 6 feet back from the curb until the bus completely stops
  • Wait for the driver’s signal before crossing in front of the bus or across the street
  • Make eye contact with the driver before walking near the bus
  • Never retrieve dropped items near bus wheels
  • Move quickly from the bus along a safe route towards the drop-off zone after departing the bus

Louisiana drivers tend to illegally pass stopped school buses on roadways at high speeds. This is a recipe for disaster for our young children. Passing a stopped school bus risks manslaughter charges if a child is struck and should never be attempted under any circumstances.

By state law, all Louisiana drivers must stop for school buses when red lights are flashing, and the stop arm is extended, regardless of direction of travel. The law requires traffic to stop at least 30 feet away from the bus and remain stopped until the lights are off and the bus moves again.

Teen Driving: Bolton, Tioga, Menard, and ASH Students at Higher Risk

Parking lots at Alexandria and Pineville high schools become accident zones when inexperienced teen drivers mix with rushed parents, departing buses, and oncoming morning and afternoon traffic.

Teen Accident Prevention

  • Morning Rush Risks – Teens leaving late speed through school zones
  • Afternoon Distractions – Friends, phones, music create deadly combinations
  • Weather Inexperience – Louisiana’s sudden storms catch new drivers unprepared
  • Passenger Pressure – Risk increases 44% with one teenage passenger, doubles with two, and quadruples with three or more.

Parent Strategies for Teen Driver Safety

  • Practice school routes during the summer at the times your child will be arriving/departing school
  • Emphasize the dangers of cell phone use while driving
  • Set passenger limits for the first year
  • Monitor driving with apps showing speed and phone use
  • Create weather-based driving restrictions

Transportation Safety for After-School Activities

  • Verify drivers for carpools, sports, or dance team transportation
  • Confirm vehicle capacity isn’t exceeded
  • Establish and verbalize pickup/drop-off protocols, preventing stranger access

Community Resources for Our Rapides Parish Families

Important Contact Information

School Safety Programs

Making This School Year Safe for Every Child

As our children fill the halls of schools from Glenmora High to Pineville Elementary, from Tioga to Ruby Wise, their safety depends on every driver, every parent, and every school official doing their part. One moment of distraction, one ignored safety rule, one hazard can forever change a family’s life.

At Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, we’ve spent over 40 years protecting families in Alexandria and across Rapides Parish, holding negligent parties accountable. While we hope you never need our services, know that if tragedy strikes, you have fierce advocates ready to fight for your child’s rights and future.

Stay vigilant. Stay safe. And let’s make 2025-2026 the safest and most enjoyable school year yet for Rapides Parish students!

Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident in Alexandria or Pineville? We’re Here to Help.

Free consultations for all cases. No fees unless we win your case. We are available 24/7 for emergencies for you and your children.

Call (318) 561-2500 | Contact Us Online

Over 40 years serving Alexandria, Pineville, Ball, Boyce, Lecompte, Tioga, and all Rapides Parish communities.