School traffic safety reminder

School is in session and the Juneau Police Department would like to remind everyone to pay close attention to the extra roadway traffic. School buses, pedestrians, and kids driving to school can increase commute times for everyone. Make sure to give yourself some extra time to get to your destination; that way you aren’t feeling rushed.

Please pay close attention to any school bus that has their red lights flashing. This means they are stopping to pick up, or drop off a child. Alaska law requires that the driver of a vehicle that approaches from any direction of a school bus stopped on a shared highway or vehicular way, shall stop not less than 30 feet from the school bus before reaching it, when the school bus has flashing red lights. The driver may not proceed until the school bus proceeds and the flashing lights are no longer illuminated. Depending on the circumstances, passing a school bus when it’s red lights are flashing can be either a class B misdemeanor or an infraction.

Kids walking or biking to school are highly vulnerable roadway users. Please slow down and give extra care to those trying to get to school safely.

The speed limit in a school zone when lights are flashing is 15 mph. School zone lights will be on for about one half hour before and after school:

• Elementary schools start at 8 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m.
• Middle schools start at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.
• High schools start at 9:15 a.m. and ends at 3:45 p.m.