A Heads Up for Pasadena Drivers: Throngs of Pasadena Kids Will Walk to School Wednesday

Local school and public safety officials are alerting Pasadena drivers to be extra cautious and aware during the Wednesday morning commute because scores of local school children will be walking to school and crossing streets during National Walk and Roll to School Day.

The event encourages children, accompanied by their parents, adults, and city officials, to walk from their homes to their schools and teaches safety techniques.. 

Pasadena Police Lt. Monica Cuellar said traffic control will be provided by the Pasadena Police Traffic Section.

The Pasadena Unified School District and the city’s Department of Transportation will be hosting the event.

Police urged drivers to be extremely careful and anticipate more foot and bike traffic. Drivers are advised to slow down, stay off the phone, and actively look for pedestrians and cyclists. They should also always watch their speed and slow down in school zones. 

Police Lt. Anthony Russo said pedestrians and cyclists should also take extra care when traveling near active roadways and crossing streets on Wednesday and every day. 

“Avoid distractions and pay attention to your surroundings,” Russo said. “Never rely solely on a signal device to give you the ‘Go,’ make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you before proceeding when cars are near. Lastly, wearing protective clothing that makes you more visible and reflective devices at night will greatly increase visibility.” 

Russo said police motor officers will be on-site at schools Wednesday to distribute safety materials and to answer any questions the participants may have.

In Altadena, Sarah Wolf, a parent volunteer for Oak Knoll Montessori School, said she’s helping the Altadena Town Council Traffic Safety and Mobility Committee in organizing the Altadena-wide Walk to School events this year.

“Because most kids are driven to school these days, we’ve designed the event where we have three drop-and-walk hubs so parents can either park and walk with their students to school or drop off their students at a hub,” she said. “And the students will walk with their friends and staff from the school.” 

The drop-and-walk hubs are located at Lower Loma Alta Park at Palm Street, the Farnsworth Park parking lot, and the Altadena Main Library. 

Wolf said they’re also encouraging kids to make signs to raise awareness for California Clean Air Days. 

“We’re trying to reduce the air pollution around schools by having parents drop off at a different location because as we know, air pollution in Altadena is mostly caused by cars and trucks and kids are especially vulnerable to air pollution,” she said. “So we want to raise awareness at least once a year of different ways to get the school to reduce that and improve the air quality around schools.” 

To further promote pedestrian and road safety, the Pasadena Police Department is providing safety tips for students who walk, bike, or roll to school. They recommend planning routes on roads with sidewalks or paths away from traffic, walking or riding as far from cars as possible, and wearing a helmet when riding or rolling. 

Students should also use crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals, and always look left-right-left before crossing the street, their advisory said.They should watch for cars entering or leaving driveways or parking spaces. It is also important for students to be aware of their surroundings and keep earbud or headphone volume low enough to hear around them.

Schools participating in the event are encouraged to register at walkbiketoschool.org. 

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