Tips From Novato Police for a Safe School Year

NOVATO, CA — With Thursday being the first day of a new school year for students of the Novato Unified School District, the Novato Police Department issued a reminder Monday of laws the public should be mindful of in order for all to have a safe school year.

First, Novato police reminded motorists that it is a violation of the law to pass a school bus which is stopped with red lights flashing and/or the stop signal arm extended/engaged for the purpose of loading or unloading school children.

Drivers are also reminded that the speed limit in a school zone is 25 mph when children are present, even if they are not visible to the driver. School zones are designated with regulatory warning signs.

Also, because many students ride their bicycles to and from school, parents are reminded that anyone younger than 18 is required to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet while doing so. According to Novato police, the helmet law also applies to non-motorized scooters, skateboards, rollerblades and roller skates. And drivers are reminded to provide sufficient clearance to bicyclists riding on the shoulder of the road.

Drivers were also reminded of safety restraint (seatbelt) laws: all persons in a vehicle are required to properly wear safety restraints.

Novato police advised that each school is different when it comes to parking. Motorists are asked to please look for signage and markings near schools when parking.

Regarding the use of cellphones, Novato police reminded drivers that the state of California is "hands free" when it comes to using mobile devices while driving. Everyone 18 and older is required to be hands free while talking on their mobile devices; text messaging is prohibited as well when holding a mobile device. Anyone younger than 18 is prohibited from communicating on a mobile device, even while doing so hands free.

"With school back in session, many of the children in our community will be walking or biking to and from school, and there will be an increase in traffic congestion, both during the morning drop off and afternoon pickup," said Novato police Sgt. Nick Frey. "Please give yourself enough time to get to school and be mindful and cautious of the increase of children in the community. The Novato Police Department wants everyone to have a safe school year."

Image via Shutterstock