Back to school is an exciting time as students return to the classrooms. It’s also a time to re-educate parents about the dangers their children face from the traffic around the schools.

Much of the confusion, congestion and hazardous situations are caused by parents who are driving their children to and from school. Especially for the first few weeks of school, and throughout the school year, we monitor traffic around the various schools, and take enforcement action. But we just don’t have enough officers to put one at every school, every day. We rely on voluntary cooperation of parents, and all drivers, to obey the laws, especially around the schools.

Double parking, blocking crosswalks, parking in no parking zones and bus stops, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, speeding and careless driving all create dangerous situations for children.

Everyone can’t drop off and pick up their kids at the same time, at the same place. When you drop your child off, try to do it on the same side of the street as the school, but park where it is legal to do so. If you have to park half a block up the street, that’s okay. It doesn’t have to be right in front of the door. Make sure your children exit the vehicle on the curb side. You don’t want them jumping out of the car into traffic.

After school, you know it’s going to be congested. Plan ahead. Agree on a spot where you will pick up your child. It might be up the street or a block over. By picking a spot away from the school, you’ll be alleviating and avoiding some of the congestion.

Children aren’t always as careful as they should be. They don’t always watch for you, so you’ll have to watch for them. With everyone’s attention, we can make this a safe school year for our children.