27 Motorists Ticketed In School-Safety Crackdown

OCEANSIDE, CA – A school-zone enforcement operation conducted last week by the California Highway Patrol, Oceanside, at three Fallbrook schools netted citations for 27 drivers, according to authorities.

With the intent to improve pedestrian safety, the CHP focused on motorists and pedestrians who failed to yield the right-of-way or who take unsafe and illegal actions.

"Pedestrian safety is a key issue in our community, and the CHP is committed to upholding pedestrian safety laws to protect the members of our community," the agency said.

On May 21 in the area of Maie Ellis Elementary School on West Elder Street, nine citations and two warnings were issued, and "an untold number of people were educated on the importance of pedestrian safety," the CHP said.

The following day, May 22, near James E. Potter Junior High School on Reche Road, 11 citations were issued, along with three warnings.

And on May 23, the operation outside Fallbrook High School on South Stage Coach Lane resulted in seven citations, according to the department.

The CHP reminds the community to follow these basic safe practices:

• Drivers should slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits, both in school zones and in neighborhoods surrounding the school.
• Comply with school drop-off and pick-up procedures.
• Avoid double parking or stopping on crosswalks to let children out of the car. Double parking will block visibility for other children and motorists. Visibility is further reduced during rain and fog when condensation forms on car windows.
• Watch for children walking or biking to school when backing up out of a driveway or leaving a garage.
• Watch for children walking or bicycling both on the road and the sidewalk near schools.
• Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops. Watch for children arriving late for the bus, who may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• Pedestrians should look both ways for traffic before crossing, make eye contact with the driver and make certain cars are yielding before crossing.

"The CHP is committed to doing our part to keep the community safe," the agency said. "We urge every member of the community to be safe and follow the rules of the road."

Funding for the program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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--Image via Renee Schiavone