School Has Started, Slow Down to Keep Kids Safe

With the start of the new school year, we’re all getting back to our familiar (almost) fall routines. For drivers, that means slowing down and paying attention – especially before and after school. Here are some safety tips for sharing the road from the National Safety Council:

• When dropping off, follow your school’s procedures; don't double park - it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles   
• Don't block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light, forcing kids to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic 
• In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to kids crossing the intersection 
• Always stop for a crossing guard holding up a stop sign

Sharing the Road with School Buses

If you're driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. 

• Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you're on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children 
• If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop on undivided roads
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus 

One more reminder: speed enforcement cameras are now back on in two Kirkland school zones - John Muir Elementary/Kamiakin Middle School and Rose Hill Elementary. Photo enforcement cameras operate 30 minutes before and after the start of school and 30 minutes before and after the end of school (based on individual school start and stop times). Be safe out there!