Driver Safety Tips As Kids Head Back To School: Police

LAMORINDA, CA — For the first time in about a year-and-a-half, children in Lamorinda are heading to the classroom. Back-to-school brings excitement, but also hectic mornings and afternoons as some children walk to school while others are caught in the crazy drop-off, pick-up dance.

Moraga Police offer the following safety tips for all drivers in the area:

• SLOW DOWN!!! School zone speed limits are 25 MPH. However, due to road conditions and pedestrians, the safe speed may actually be lower. Remember, even at 25 MPH, your average stopping distance is about 120 feet.
• Traffic Congestion – Anticipate more cars on the roads due to school related traffic. Please budget additional travel time so you don’t have to rush.
• Stop and Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalks – Drivers are required to stop until the pedestrian is out of the crosswalk (not just your lane) before you drive through it.
• You Are Required to Stop when a School Bus Stops and is Displaying Flashing Red Lights – You must STOP both when you are BEHIND the bus and APPROACHING the bus from the FRONT.
• Be Alert for Children Riding or Walking Their Bicycles – Remember that kids may be focused upon their friends or getting to school – not on the cars around them.
• Don’t Text and Drive! – only use the hands free option for your phone and be careful of being distracted while driving. NOTE: holding your phone in your hand and using the speaker is NOT hands free.
• Talk with Your Teens about Safe Driving – Car crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths – 40% of these crashes involve speed and 25% occur during after school hours.

Police promise extra patrols around schools.

For questions about traffic safety or to report a non-injury crash, call Moraga Police at 925-888-7055, Orinda Police at 925-254-6820, and Lafayette Police at 925-299-3220.

Related: Back To School: Lamorinda 2021-22 School Calendars