Saratoga Motorists Advised to Drive Carefully Near Schools This Week

As Saratoga students return to classrooms this week, safety officials are reminding motorists to drive cautiously near schools.

Santa Clara County sheriff's deputies are advising motorists to watch out for children and parents on the road, walking across streets and pedaling on bicycles.

To create a safe environment around schools the deputies  are reminding motorists to drive slowly, avoid routes near schools and be aware that law enforcement is out in full force.

"There are many students walking and riding their bicycles to school. At school zones, the speed limit is 25 mph when children are present," said Santa Clara County sheriff's Capt. Kenneth Binder, commander of the agency's West Valley Patrol Division.

Due to student drop-off and pick-up, traffic can get very congested around the schools, Capt. Binder said, adding that commuters are encouraged to look for alternate routes when possible.

The Sheriff's Traffic Unit pays particular attention to the school areas during the school year, he added and the agency also has a school resource officer in Saratoga that assists the local campuses in planning strategies to mitigate traffic congestion due to drop-off or pick-up of students.