Back to School Traffic Safety
It’s Back to School Time!
The Duarte Public Safety Department
Encourages the Public to Stay Aware and Stay Safe in School Zones
As students head back to the classroom, schools and the communities around them are going to be busier than they’ve been since the start of the pandemic.
The Duarte Public Safety Department reminds everyone to stay aware and stay safe with increased traffic returning to school zones.
There are going to be a lot more parents, students, and staff out than residents have seen in more than a year. Please drive carefully in school zones, especially during pick-up and drop-off times.
This includes remembering what to do around school buses.
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 if the red lights are on. Drivers in both directions must stop on any two-lane road without a median or a center turn lane.
The Duarte Public Safety 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.
