safety

In Pictures: Edison Students Mobilize Emergency Response For Mass Casualty Drill

Chris Eudaily and Joey Palacios — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:05:08 +0000

This morning, students at Edison High School got hands-on experience in dealing with a hypothetical school bus explosion. Nearly 300 students in the school’s Public Safety Magnet played the role of first responders in this a four-hour disaster exercise.

It’s a scenario no one wants to see happen: An I.E.D. explodes on an SAISD school bus, injuring several dozen students followed by a second blast a few minutes later.

$17.5 Million Grant On The Line If Texas Passes Texting Ban

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:33:35 +0000

The Senate Committee on Transportation heard emotional testimony Wednesday about the horrors of texting while driving as the state legislature is thinking about federal grant possibilities.

Following Yelling Match, Texas House Passes Texting Ban

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:46:04 +0000

At times house members were shouting over each other as they debated HB 63, a bill that would outlaw the practice of texting while driving.

Public Safety Officials Plan To Keep Fiesta Fun And Safe

Ryan Loyd — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 21:11:26 +0000

Fiesta gets underway tomorrow and the Boston Marathon bombings have San Antonio police and firefighters strengthening their presence to make sure people stay safe during the 11-day celebration.

Fiesta is San Antonio's way to honor the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto and it all started in 1891 with a hugely successful Battle of Flowers Parade.

Though the years since have been full of fun and festivities, there was one incident that changed everything.

Council Considers Return Of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles

Ryan Loyd — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:26:50 +0000

Neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV's), haven't been allowed on San Antonio side streets since 2006, but they could be making a comeback.

Several serious accidents - often times involving young drivers - prompted a ban of such vehicles, sometimes called low speed vehicles, by the San Antonio City Council. That was seven years ago, but new state laws require them to be licensed and registered and an amendment to the Transportation Code allows the vehicles to travel on roads with a posted speed of 45 miles per hour or less.

Code Enforcement Spreading The Word About Boarding Home Ordinance

Ryan Loyd — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 20:32:21 +0000

The city's new boarding home ordinance is now in place and has been well publicized, but code enforcement officers like Jenny Ramirez are making the rounds to neighborhood associations to make sure everyone knows the rules.

"Today what I really, really wanted to do is focus on giving you a really good concise definition of what we adopted as far as our boarding home ordinance," she said.

New Crosswalk Makes Crossing Fredericksburg Road A Little Safer

Ryan Loyd — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:41:20 +0000

Last year San Antonio Police reported that dozens of people were struck and killed crossing busy roadways. As a result, Police Chief William McManus instituted stricter jaywalking policies.

However, people continued illegally crossing the street, and one area where it kept happening was on Fredericksburg Road, which sees more than 16,000 cars each day.

Texas Lawmakers Renew Push On Statewide Texting And Driving Ban

Filipa Rodrigues — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 17:42:59 +0000

Texas lawmakers are trying again to pass a statewide law banning texting while driving. A similar measure passed in the Texas House and Senate last legislative session, but was vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry.

Today, Texas Rep. Tom Craddick’s House Bill 63 is getting its first public hearing. The bill is going before the House Committee on Transportation.

Bill Filed To Create New Law Enforcement Certification: School Marshal

Ben Philpott, KUT News — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 15:11:37 +0000

Story as heard on KUT 90.5

Texas lawmakers have rallied around the idea of making elementary schools safer. There have been calls to allow anyone with a concealed handgun license to bring guns onto public school campuses. Or for teachers to get concealed carry licenses.

The latest idea comes from a bill filed by State Representative Jason Villalba (R-Dallas). He wanted to know what schools and professional school security organizations wanted.

Why Do People Drive Distracted When They Know It's Dangerous?

Eileen Pace — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:47:18 +0000

USAA has teamed up with Texas A&M to find out why people take their eyes off the road when they don’t have to.

The cooperative survey is an attitudinal study designed to learn what behaviors distract drivers, and why they continue to engage in distracted driving even when they know it’s dangerous.