Police offer tips for parents when dropping students off

As students return to classes this month, Newport Beach police are reminding parents to be careful when dropping off their kids.

On Tuesday the department launched its annual School Zone Safety Awareness Program, which will be in effect through the end of the school year, police said.

School Resource Officers will work with school staff on how to best present the safety issues to students and their families in monthly announcements and newsletters, Sgt. Evan Sailor said. In addition, the department’s Traffic Division plans to put up signs that show drivers how fast they’re going around campuses.

Motorcycle and patrol officers will be present to cite drivers for traffic violations. The department has urged parents of younger children to walk with them to school for a few days at the beginning of the school year in order to make sure that safe routes and habits are established.

Kids under 18 are required to wear helmets while riding a bicycle, police said. And there is a need as, the Automobile Club of Southern California reports 85% of all head or brain injuries could be avoided by wearing a helmet, and 85% of all bicycle accidents happen less than one mile from a person’s home. Finally, 80% of all deaths for children on bicycles happen while they ride into a street without pausing to check for traffic, not slowing for stop signs and cycling against the flow of traffic, police said.

Police offer these reminders for parents as the school year gets underway:

?Only one child or adult allowed per seat belt, and there must be a seat belt for all occupants.

?Twenty-five miles per hour is the maximum speed limit when children are present in a school zone.

?Drivers should avoid U-turns in school zones or other congested traffic areas close to an intersection.

?Always pull to the curb when dropping off or picking up pedestrians. Direct pedestrians to crosswalks if they are dropped across the street from their destination.