Back-to-School Month Safety Information and Tips

As summer draws to a close and students return to school, the Turlock Police Department reminds all drivers to make safety a top priority during Back-to-School month by being extra careful when driving through school zones and slowing down.

“During Back-to-School Month, let’s prioritize safety behind the wheel to protect our children,” said Sergeant Watson. “We urge every driver to slow down, remain alert, and take extra precautions when navigating through school zones. By doing so, we can create a safer environment for everyone and foster a community where safety is a shared responsibility.”

Turlock Police offer the following tips to stay safe around schools:

• Adhere to school policies and procedures for dropping off and picking up students.
• For parents with children biking or walking to school, teach them safe riding and walking behaviors, such as crossing at marked crosswalks with stop signs or signals, looking both ways before crossing the street, and using sidewalks when available and permissible.
• Slow down and follow the speed limit.
• 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.

If you are behind a school bus with flashing red lights and a stop sign, drivers need to stop so students can safely get off and on the bus. Drives must remain stopped while the red lights are on. Drivers in both directions must stop on any two-lane road without a median or a center turn lane.