ots of students are returning to classes next week, and some will be walking to school. Officials in Washoe County say keeping them safe is their number one priority.
Reno Police say it’s important to take it really slow, and triple check before driving through the area, especially since a new law is in effect this year which doubles the consequences of traffic violations in school zones.
“We take those things very seriously and we are patrolling school zones a lot more frequently than any other place in the city,” said Hunter Mercurio, Public Information Officer for Reno Police. “Just know that if you are in a school zone, slow down because most likely there will be a police officer there.”
Mercurio says they work with Washoe County School District Police, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, and Sparks Police to make sure all schools are covered.
They're enforcing the four main points of the new law which specifies that the school zone speed limit is 15 miles per hour, there are absolutely no U-turns or passing in a school zone, and all drivers have to stop for school busses, no matter the direction they're headed.
Safe Routes to Schools is also reminding kids and their parents to use crosswalks and stay on sidewalks when walking to and from school.
“Make sure if you are going across the street that you're looking both ways. Make eye contact with drivers to ensure that they see you in drivers. Please give them a few extra seconds to make sure they can cross safely,” said Jennifer Iveson, coordinator for Safe Routes to School.
Safe Routes is always looking for more volunteers to assist in keeping kids safe. For more information on that, click here.
To view more details on the new law, click here.
