Back-To-School Safety Message For RivCo Families Your Local Police

MURRIETA, CA — As summer draws to a close and students prepare to return to school, your Murrieta and Menifee Police Departments are reminding all drivers to make safety a top priority during the upcoming Back-to-School Month by slowing down, following the speed limit, and being extra careful when driving through school zones.

Menifee Chief of Police Chris Karrer noted that back-to-school driving is all about prioritizing safety.

"During Back-to-School Month, let's prioritize safety behind the wheel to protect our children,” Chief Karrer said. "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.”

The following tips to stay safe around schools apply to all of us, no matter where you live:

• Slow down and follow the speed limit.
• Adhere to school policies and procedures for dropping off and 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.

For parents with children walking or biking to school, teach them safe walking and riding behaviors, such as looking both ways before crossing the street, using sidewalks when permissible and available, and crossing at marked crosswalks with stop signs or signals.

Murrieta Police also spoke about school bus safety.

"We would like to remind everyone that their safety is our main priority and to ask you to take some time to read the following safety tips.

• Drivers, remember to stay alert and look for kids who may be trying to get to or from the school bus.
• Yellow Flashing Lights mean the bus is preparing to stop and pick up or drop off kids.
• Red Flashing Lights and Extended Stop Sign Arms mean the bus has stopped and kids are getting on or off. Drivers must stop and wait until the red lights stop and the stop arm is up before resuming driving.
• It is illegal for a driver to pass a school bus when it is displaying flashing red lights and a stop sign.

"Please keep these safety tips in mind and have patience when driving near a school or school buses," the department shared.

Visit www.gosafelyca.org for more traffic safety information.