Police Remind Drivers to Be Extra Careful As Thousands of Pasadena Unified Students Head Back School Thursday

As students head back to the classroom this week, Pasadena police plan extra patrols near schools and alerted local drivers to slow down and be vigilant for children.

“Please drive like it is your child, grandchild, niece or nephew walking or riding their bike  to school,” Pasadena Police Department Lieutenant Sam de Sylva said. “Pick-up and  drop-off times can be hectic, but it’s important to be patient and stay safe as children are  getting to and from school.” 

Police said drivers need to pay special attention around buses picking up and dropping off schoolchildren.

California law requires drivers to stop when a school bus is in front of them and extends its stop sign with flashing red lights. Drivers must remain stopped as long as the red lights are on. Drivers in both directions must stop on any two-lane road without a median or two-lane road with a center turn lane.  

The Police Department offered a checklist of safety tips for drivers to remember: 

• 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 available, and crossing at marked crosswalks with stop signs or  signals.