South Lake Tahoe Police remind drivers to watch for kids as they head back to school

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Now that school is back in session there is no time like the present to remember to "drive smart" during Back-to-School Month by slowing down and always looking for children on and near roads.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) is asking drivers to slow down, follow the speed limit, and be extra careful driving through school zones.

There will be additional vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic around all schools, especially in the mornings and afternoons. Slow down in and around school zones which generally have a 15 miles per hour limit during drop off and pickup times. Remain alert for children to act unpredictably, especially as they learn new routines. SLTPD will be out enforcing traffic laws in school zones throughout the school year, attempting to ensure the safety of our students. Let’s make this a fun, exciting, and safe school year for all our community youngsters.

SLTPD offers the following tips to stay safe around schools:

- Slow down and follow the speed limit.
- Adhere to school policies and procedures for dropping off and picking up students.
- Stop for school buses. Watch for children rushing to catch the bus or exiting.
- Whenever possible, avoid blocking the crosswalk while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
- For parents with children walking or biking to school, teach them safe walking and riding behaviors, such as looking both ways before crossing the street, using sidewalks when permissible and available, and crossing at marked crosswalks with stop signs or signals.

If you are behind a school bus with a stop sign and flashing red lights, drivers need to stop so students can safely get on and off the bus. Drivers must remain stopped while the red lights are on. Drivers in both directions must stop on any two-lane road without a median or a center turn lane.