Full Notification

PRESS RELEASE 
For Immediate Release/Broadcast                                                             
Mondy August 12 , 2024

Sergeant Walt Spiller
Petaluma Police Department
Special Services Division- Traffic Safety Team
Phone 707-778-4596

Safe Routes to School
Traffic Safety Operation
PETALUMA SCHOOLS OPEN Wednesday
Police Targeting School Zones for Safety

The City of Petaluma Police Department and the Traffic Engineering Department will be conducting the “Safe Routes to School Traffic Safety Operation” during the first week of the 2024/2025 school year. The operation begins on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 for all Petaluma City Schools. Old Adobe School District, Waugh School District and St Vincent DePaul Campuses. First day of school is different this week depending on the school district.  Please refer to individual schools for their school schedule.
 
The operation will deploy additional Police Officers and Community Service Officers in and around school zones within the City of Petaluma.  The purpose of this operation is to increase the level of traffic safety in and around the school zones through maximum traffic enforcement of hazardous traffic violations and through an aggressive education campaign to educate students and parents of the importance of traffic safety. 
 
This is the 24^th year of the Safe Routes to School Operation, which creates safe routes for everyone to get to and from school.  “We respectfully ask parents, school faculty and students to walk, ride, drive and park like they are doing the same in their own neighborhood for safety of our children in school zones,” said Special Operations Lieutenant Jeremy Walsh.
 
Over the past year, the Petaluma Police Department and City of Petaluma Traffic Engineering has worked with Safe Routes to Schools to collaboratively identify traffic safety issues around our schools.  We have conducted several meetings last year at Petaluma Schools.  We will be continuing to conduct these meetings going forward.  If you have interest in and would like to participate in the Safe Routes to School program you can access the link below to see if your school has previously been selected or will be selected going forward. https://www.sonomasaferoutes.org
 
Patrol and Traffic Officers will be conducting high visibility patrols around school zones to improve safety.  The Safe Routes to School Traffic Safety Plan is a collaborative effort between law enforcement, traffic engineering, schools, parents, and students to create safe routes to and from our local schools. 
 
The increased deployment of officers in marked patrol cars will be used to enforce traffic laws for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians in and around the school zones. 
 
As a reminder, students riding a bicycle to school under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet.  The Petaluma Police Department has a free helmet program if children under the age of 18 are in need of a helmet.  Officers will be looking for these violations as part of our enforcement and education efforts to make sure bicyclists are coming to and from school safely.
 
Electric bicycles are becoming more popular and prevalent on Petaluma roadways.  There are several rules and regulations that come with riding e-bikes on the roadway.  If utilizing an e-bike, please make sure you are aware of the rules and regulations before use.  Our partners at the California Highway Patrol have very comprehensive electric bicycle safety and training page on their web site.  It can be reached at the following link: https://www.chp.ca.gov/Programs-Services/Services-Information/Bike-and-Ped-Safety
 
Pedestrian Safety remains a high priority with students going back to school.  Motorists are reminded to look ahead and be prepared to stop for school crossings and respect crossing guards as they get children safely to and from school.
 
This focus on traffic safety in and around the school zones will continue during the school year.  Students and motorists are encouraged to drive safely, being responsible and defensive drivers, as officers will be issuing citations for all hazardous violations observed.  The Police Department’s goal through the “Safe Routes to School Operation” is to create a safer environment for our children and all motorists as they travel to and from school and throughout the City.
 
The following are reminders for motorists:
 

• Distracted driving, riding, or walking, is extremely dangerous – no talking or texting on cell phones.  Speaker phone is legal however it must be hands free.  Do not cover both ears with ear buds or headphones while driving or riding a bicycle.
• Traffic congestion will be heavy in and around the schools.  Give yourself plenty of time and leave early so you are not in a hurry to get to where you are going.
• School Zone Speed Limit has been approved to a reduction to 15 MPH when children are present on certain roadways near schools.  Implementation of the new reduction has not gone into effect yet and enforcement will be based on existing posted speed limits for school zones.
• Watch out for others, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and stopped vehicles.  The stopped vehicle may be letting a pedestrian cross the street.
• Remember to stop in both directions for a school bus that has activated the flashing red lights, except on a divided highway. (Minimum Fine =  $600)
• Reduce your speed in adverse weather conditions and turn on your lights.  These conditions include fog, direct sunlight, and rain.
• Double parking to drop off or pick-up is not only unsafe, but illegal. 
• Most schools have traffic circulation/flow patterns mapped out.  Parents are encouraged to contact school administrators and learn how they can follow established traffic patterns to keep the children safe and avoid congestion.
• Bicycles always ride on the right side of the roadway and obey all traffic signs and signals.
• Remember to walk your bicycle across the street if you are using a marked crosswalk.
• Helmet laws will be strictly enforced for anyone riding under the age of 18.
• Do not block driveways, fire hydrants, crosswalks, or handicap access ramps at corners.
• Do not park in red zones for drop off locations.  Red zones are commonly used for line of sight issues and should not be utilized for any sort of parking even if brief.
• Be considerate and respectful of the residents in the neighborhood.

 
Members of the community who identify traffic hazards or other hazardous traffic situations near school zones are encouraged to contact the Traffic Safety Team at 778-4372.  As always, anyone with any questions regarding traffic safety is encouraged to contact the Traffic Safety Team as well.
 
The Petaluma Police Department would like to thank everyone in advance for driving safely, being courteous and making back to school a safe event.