Police, parents must work together to keep school zones safe

If you have driven by a school in the morning or afternoon when children are coming and going, you have seen for yourself the concerns parents have for their children's safety.

The Lodi Police Department is also concerned about the conditions during high vehicle and pedestrian traffic times, and is committed to the students' safety. School Resource Officer Shad Canestrino offers the following advice regarding student safety around school.:

Parents and other adults can do much to improve traffic safety around schools by driving cautiously and teaching children safe practices. In some cases, parents and other drivers may be the cause of safety concerns. Drivers should obey all traffic laws and apply the following practices:

Carpool to reduce the number of vehicles near the school, especially during poor weather.

Avoid parking on the opposite side of the street from the school. When it is necessary, instruct children on how to safely reach the vehicle or school. use crosswalks and crossing guards.

Make sure children are careful in opening the vehicle doors and that they exit and enter on the curbside of the vehicle.

Children should not be allowed to cross the street in the middle of the block.

Do not double park or block traffic. Waiting or parking in red zones is also not allowed. Double parking, even for a minute, creates more traffic problems.

Do not block buses or use areas designated for buses. If an emergency vehicle requires access, the area should be cleared. Using bus zones for loading or unloading passengers during non-school hours is typically okay.

Never leave a vehicle unattended in a loading zone.

Do not park within a crosswalk or pass a stopped vehicle which is allowing pedestrians to cross.

Do not violate the law using the excuse "I will just be here a minute," when picking up or dropping off children. Violations still present a danger and cause congestion during the time of day when it is most important to provide safety for children.

Learn the traffic patterns at the school and avoid being a disruption.

Adult crossing guards are trained professionals whose focus is to assist children in safely crossing streets. It is a violation of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) to disregard the signals or directions of adult crossing guards. Children should be taught to follow directions given to them by the crossing guards. Guards are not to direct vehicle traffic movements and are not responsible for vehicle traffic.

A common complaint in school zones is speeding. The data gathered from surveys conducted by the radar trailer and the special enforcement details have shown that very few vehicles are actually speeding. The speed limit around schools when children are present is 25 mph. Due to the vehicle and pedestrian congestion around schools, it is very difficult for vehicles to reach speeds grater than 25 mph. The most common violations around schools are illegal U-turns, failure to yield to oncoming traffic, vehicles failing to yield to pedestrians and pedestrians entering the roadway when vehicles are approaching.

The Lodi Police Department is committed to creating a safe environment around schools. The School Resource Officers, working with school administrations, have developed flyers to be sent home with students providing information for parents and students regarding safety issues. Traffic officers and patrol officers will continue to conduct enforcement action in school zones.

If you would like more information or want to report a traffic concern, please contact the Lodi Police Traffic Unit at 333-5558.

Any comments, questions or advice for Behind the Badge can be e-mailed to jbiskup@pd.lodi.gov or mailed to Jeanie Biskup, Lodi Police Department, 215 W. Elm Street, Lodi, CA 95240, phone 333-6864.

Reader Feedback

Rhodie wrote on Oct 6, 2008 11:38 PM:

" "The data gathered from surveys conducted by the radar trailer and the special enforcement details have shown that very few vehicles are actually speeding."

I can't quite figure out why I don't trust this data. Oh yeah, because almost daily I get PASSED in the Henderson school zone on my way to drop off my kids. Even when the lines are solid cars pass me. I guess that 25 MPH is only a guide line and not to be taken seriously. I go through this zone four times a day (twice each trip) and I'd say the drivers obeying the speed limit are the exceptions and usually the recipient of glares and other signals of discontent with their obeying the speed limit. "

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T & C wrote on Oct 6, 2008 10:28 PM:

" I was riding Bus #2 today on Central, almost to Kettlemen when a small child about 2, no older ran out into the street! Everyone on the bus was shocked, esp SAM, the bus driver! I cannot comprehend a mother of 5 children in her care, with a fenced yard, NOT having that little one inside the fence!!!! Life can end in a split second, let alone an abduction. Parents, You have little lives in your hands. I am glad the mother caught her child, but not before he was in the roadway! "

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Lodian wrote on Oct 6, 2008 9:28 PM:

" Lt. Virgil Monroe wrote "In some cases, parents and other drivers may be the cause of safety concerns."

Lt. Virgil Monroe: You are being way too kind. I say, "In MOST cases, parents and other drivers ARE the cause of safety concerns." It's a jungle out there before and after school. "

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marzo2008 wrote on Oct 6, 2008 12:33 PM:

" they need to have traffic that picks up kids go one way. during those hours when kids are being dropped off or picked up at school. and their should be a group controlling the traffic when kids are getting off or getting in like a ride. all sitting down and doors closed really to go. a good idea would be for the parents to signal with their lights on when their car is loaded and ready. this way the traffic people will know who is still waiting for. then only when all cars are ready move them out slow and move in another load coming in in line. "

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