Pasadena Police Urge Drivers to Use Caution as Thousands of Kids Return to School on Thursday

Police are urging motorists to be extra-careful Thursday and beyond when driving through school zones as Pasadena Unified School District schools welcome back students.

With the return of students to classrooms, “schools and the communities around them are going to be busier than they’ve been since the start of the pandemic,” the Pasadena Police Department said in a written statement.

“There are going to be a lot more parents, students and staff out than residents have seen in more than a year,” Lt. Anthony Russo said. “Please drive carefully in school zones, especially during pickup and dropoff times.”

Russo reminded drivers to exercise care when around school buses.

“The easiest, safest thing to do is to stop the car when you encounter a school bus with a stop sign and flashing red lights,” he said. “There are going to be students getting on and off the school bus. It’s also the law.”

Drivers in both directions of travel are required to stop on all two-lane roads without center medians or center turn lanes, police added.

The Police Department offers the following tips to stay safe around schools:

• Slow down;
• Follow any school rules for dropping off or 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;
• Always look both ways before crossing the street;
• Make sure cars see you;
• Walk on sidewalks, when available;
• Cross at marked crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals;
• Watch for cars entering or backing out of driveways or leaving parking spaces.