FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Schools across Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley are heading back to school over the next few weeks, and police say that means drivers need to be on high alert.
While Fayetteville students won’t be back in the classroom until Aug. 20th, Fayetteville police are planning ahead to help mitigate traffic.
The first few days of school typically bring a huge influx of traffic around pick-up and drop-off times. Because of this, police ask drivers to be patient and eliminate distractions.
In school zones, it’s especially important to slow down and follow traffic signs. This protects drivers from being fined and most importantly, helps keep kids safe.
“Just pay attention and really have your head on a swivel,” said Sgt. Stephen Mauk, Public Information Officer for Fayetteville PD. “Look for children. They might come out of nowhere to try to cross the street, they may be on a bike, they may come upon you pretty quick and try to get across the roadway, so just slow down and pay attention.”
Another important reminder when driving around town in the next few weeks: When a school bus is stopped with its stop sign out and lights flashing, it’s the law for drivers to stop as well.
“We'll see people passing school buses when they have their stop arm out, when the red lights are flashing,” Mauk said. “It says ‘stop.’ Children cross roadways, they cross two lanes, three lanes, four lanes of traffic to get to their school bus to be picked up, so stop. I don't care if you're coming on the opposing traffic lane or you're falling behind, don't try to pass or go around a school bus when it's stopped.”
Mauk said during the first week of school, there will be an increased police presence with officers on their motorcycles to help bring awareness to the school zones and encourage people to slow down.
He encourages drivers to be patient and allow extra time if they know they will be driving near a school in the morning or afternoon during pick-up or drop-off hours.
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