Full Notification

In a continuing effort to ensure traffic safety through education and enforcement, the Franklin Lakes Police Department will initiate “Operation Safe School Zones”, a back to school traffic safety campaign. This traffic safety campaign is designed to educate motorists, parents, and children regarding accident prevention and safe pedestrian movement through the School Zones.

Operation Safe School Zones will begin on Thursday September 5th, 2024 and continue until Friday September 20th, 2024. Additional enhanced traffic education and enforcement efforts will remain in place throughout the 2024-2025 school year.

Operation Safe School Zones will take an aggressive enforcement approach, and focus on motorists who: fail to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks; fail to stop for crossing guards; drive while distracted through the school zone; speed in school zones; illegally pass school busses; block crosswalks; illegally stop/park to drop off children in no stopping zones; and who fail to wear, or ensure that their children wear safety belts. The police department’s increased traffic safety program will be accomplished by assigning additional officers to traffic education/enforcement responsibilities during the first two weeks of the new school year. In addition, message sign boards will be utilized and literature will be distributed to notify motorists to exercise more caution now that schools are back in session.

The beginning of the school year is a time when there is a greater risk of transportation related injuries to children. The fact that there are more children on the road each morning and afternoon, as well as changed driving patterns and fewer daylight hours elevates this risk. Traffic is always congested at the beginning of a new school year, so please plan accordingly. Be patient with other drivers. It is also important to drop and pick up children within areas designated by the schools. 

The Franklin Lakes Police Department encourages all motorists, parents, teachers, and students to practice safe driving and pedestrian habits.

Tips for Motorists:

• Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits
• “STOP” for pedestrians in crosswalks
• Always stop for a school bus that has stopped to load/unload children.
• Do not block crosswalks at intersections
• Be alert and ready to stop. Watch for children, especially where there are no sidewalks.

Tips for Students:

• REMEMBER to always buckle up when riding in a car.
• Always ride in the back seat. It’s the safest place for young people.
• Always wear a helmet and follow safety rules when riding your bike.
• If you ride the school bus, learn and practice the safety rules for waiting at the bus stop, getting on and off the bus, and riding the bus.
• If you walk to school, learn to practice the safety rules for pedestrians. ALWAYS cross at crosswalks, look both ways for on-coming traffic, obey all traffic signs, traffic lights and crossing guard’s instructions. 
• Utilize the sidewalks when they are available.

Tips for Parents & Teachers:

• Help children learn and practice the safety rules for walking, bicycling or riding in a passenger car or school bus.
• Supervise young children as they are walking or biking to school.
• Be a good role model. Always buckle up and cross in a crosswalk.

The Franklin Lakes Police Department is committed to providing a safe environment for our children, especially in the areas surrounding the schools. Let's all work together to make this start of a new school year a safe one.