SEPTEMBER 2006

Boy, time sure does fly.   It seems like only yesterday we were wrapping pipes to keep them from freezing.  Just as we've begun to warm up, summer is over.  Can you believe school has begun?  Some kids are probably kicking and screaming while their parents are smiling from ear to ear. 

Normally, police education this time of year is focused on the safety of students who are either driving or walking to school.  Today is different.  Today, I want to talk to every adult out there who thinks back to school safety applies only to parents, schools, and students; but does not apply to them.  Keeping children safe is everyone's responsibility. 

Kids waiting at a bus stop are typically more concerned with playing than watching out for cars.  As drivers, we must recognize this and be prepared.  We all know school begins in the morning and ends in the early afternoon.  We should also be aware of children in our neighborhoods and bus stop locations.   

When children are present in a school zone, the speed limit is 20 miles per hour; that does not mean 25 or 30.  "I'm late for work," and "I didn't see any kids around," are explanations commonly heard by Police when stopping drivers for speeding in school zones.  If school is in session, CHILDREN ARE PRESENT.  There are no excuses for speeding in a school zone or near a bus stop.  Leave a few minutes earlier to make it to work on time.  Get stopped going 25mph in a school zone and you could receive a $157 ticket.

Red flashing lights on a school bus means STOP; not slow down, pause, or ignore.   Nationally, vehicles passing when the red lights are flashing account for one-third of the children killed in bus-related incidents.  Washington State Law requires police check into all reported violations.  If you choose to drive around a bus with red lights flashing, plan on receiving a call from an officer investigating the complaint.  Drive around a school bus and you could be looking at a $363 citation.

The presence of a crossing guard is a big indication that kids are nearby.  Crossing guards have a hard enough job keeping an eye on all our little ones and should be respected.  They don't need grief from you because you were delayed thirty seconds longer than you thought you should be. Failure to yield for a pedestrian could cost you $101. 

Although seemingly harmless to some, violations of the above result in deaths of more than 25 children every year.  Patrolling school zones is a priority for every police agency in the County. Let's set a standard for other communities to follow.  Slow down in school zones, stop for busses when red lights are flashing, and respect pedestrian's right of way.  Don't do this to avoid a ticket or because I said so; do it for the kids!