WILSON, OK - While the start of the school year means a change to summer routines for students and teachers, drivers traveling through school zones will also see some changes as normal speed limits are reduced. This year local school systems are getting some help from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to make sure drivers obey the law.

Wilson Schools superintendent Kevin Stinson says when the school year starts traffic on this road leading to the school increases a lot, making it hard to keep children who cross the road safe.

"We have kids that cross the street, and we have a crossing guard before and after school, but you know a crossing guard can't stop a moving vehicle either," Stinson says.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says this year they're stepping up speed limit enforcement in rural school districts to make sure drivers pay attention to the lowered speeds in school zones.

"You know they get use to their daily routines of just driving 65 through school zones because kids aren't around, so we're just going to be try to remind them that school is back in session and there will be kids outside playing and going to school.," says Trooper Mark Glenn.

Glenn says drivers should also pay attention to children loading and unloading from school buses, and says anyone who does not stop at a school bus's stop sign will get a ticket.

"That's not only for the people behind the school bus to stop, but also the people going the opposite direction because when the kids unload from the bus they could be going on either side to their residence," Glenn says.

Stinson says the beginning of the school year brings a lot of stress, but says he's happy that the OHP is pitching in to keep kids traveling to and from school safe.

"I know not just our school district, but other school districts, even if they have a local law enforcement agency that's helping, they could always use the extra help, so I'm glad to see the OHP helping out."