Holmdel Police Will Add Traffic Patrols Near Schools Next Week

Holmdel police plan to add traffic patrols near schools when school begins next week.

“In order to ensure the safety of the Township’s school children, Police Department personnel will be placing an added emphasis on monitoring the operation of motor vehicles on the roadways where schools are located in order to enforce the parts of the NJ motor vehicle code that pertain to school zones, school buses, and the like,’’ police said in a news release.

Police say they want to remind drivers to use extra caution near schools and school buses. They said they also want to remind motorists to be careful after the school day ends because many children stay late for extracurricular activities and sports programs.

In a news release from Lt. Michael Pigott, police offered the following reminders:

• “Students must be dropped off in the designated “drop off / pickup” zones.
• “Parents should pull up along the curb line to drop off students.
• “Students cannot be dropped off in the middle of the road.
• “Students/passengers must exit vehicles on the curbside.
• “Be courteous to other drivers, and keep your “good­byes” short, or better yet do them before you pull up to the drop off zone. 

• “All drivers must abide by all traffic safety signs at all times; including Parking Signs. NO PARKING SIGNS are not only designated for no parking, but also include not stopping/standing to drop off students. These signs need to be obeyed at all times. Not just during the school day. The majority of violations take place during after­school events (including sporting events on weekends) and vehicles improperly parked will be summonsed.
• 
“All pedestrians/students must cross the roadway at the nearest intersection. Crossing mid­block is against the law and extremely hazardous to the well being of the student(s) crossing the roadway.”