The driver of a vehicle that struck a 16-year-old boy Tuesday afternoon on Keating Dr. will not be charged with a moving violation, or ticketed, Batesville Police said this week.

The youngster reportedly rode his bicycle with a group of friends across a busy Hwy. 51 and down Tiger Dr. before the accident happened close to the intersection of Tiger and Keating.

Assistant police chief Kerry Pittman said the boy was “banged up pretty good” but did not have any head injuries.

Pittman urged all drivers to be aware of children, and others, riding bicycles or walking along city streets and highways, especially with the beginning of the school year just around the corner.

“Beginning next Friday and for the first few days of school there will be increased traffic around the schools, especially the ones downtown with people talking kids to school the first few days,” he said.

There are no changes in traffic flow plans this year, and Batesville Police will again be directing traffic on Hwy. 51 at both Tiger Dr. and Watts St., during the morning and afternoon school traffic peak times.

Pittman said drivers need to be aware that traffic will be heavy and hectic for about a week as families and in-town workers adjust to the school schedule. “The biggest thing is to just slow down and watch around you,” Pittman said.

Patrol officers will be stationed strategically around the schools to monitor traffic and stop speeders, he said. While fewer and fewer students walk or ride bikes to school now, there is still an increase in pedestrian traffic when school starts, Pittman said.

Other than a few fender benders reported last year, there were no serious school bus accidents or students injured coming and going to their respective schools.

“We want all the children to get where they’re going and back safely,” the assistant chief said.

This edition of The Panolian includes the annual Back to School supplement with feature stories from North Delta School, and North and South Panola School Districts. The special edition also has school supply lists and bus routes.