INFORMATION RELEASE

School is back 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 its 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 its red lights are flashing can be either a class B misdemeanor or an infraction. Drivers should treat the flashing yellow lights preceding the red lights as a caution to slow down to stop.

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, especially as the weather starts to cool and daylight diminishes.

School zone lights will be on for about one-half hour before and after school. Some areas, like Riverside Drive and Glacier Avenue, may be longer due to overlapping school start and end times.

• Elementary schools start at 8:00 am and end at 2:00 pm on Mondays, and end at 2:30 pm Tuesday through Friday
• Middle schools start at 8:30 am and end at 3:00 pm
• High schools start at 9:15 am and end at 3:45 pm
• Alternative Schools start at 8:30 am and end at 3:00 pm

The speed limit in a school zone, when lights are flashing, is 15 mph.