BENTON — With the start of a new school year beginning in the coming days, Illinois State Police along with local law enforcement, school leaders and representatives from the Illinois General Assembly gathered Friday at Benton High School to discuss school zone safety.

Trooper Joshua Haile with ISP District 13 in Du Quoin says it’s important for motorists to get back into the mindset of thinking about the increased foot and vehicle traffic that will be happening around our schools. Trooper Haile reminds you that the speed limit in a school zone is 20 mph.

Captain Derek Wise, Commander of ISP District 13, says the state’s distracted driving laws also come into play in school zones. He says you should put down your cell phone and stop texting because there are a lot of moving factors in a school zone.

State Rep. Dave Severin of Benton says he appreciates everyone coming and working together to make our school zones safe for our kids and hopes there are no incidents this school year.

ISP will be out in force during its school zone safety enforcement period which will run from Aug. 6 through the 24.