Traffic Safety

Motor Vehicle Safety

The mornings can be chaotic, and mornings of any school day can be exceedingly busy. Parents drive their children to school, children may to school, and schools have students who qualify for bus transportation. School staff oversee the arrival of students to ensure that everyone is following the rules to make the mornings safe, smooth, and orderly. 

Release time is the busiest time of day. The school's focus is on safely getting students to their buses, cars, walking routes, or to meet their parents/guardians.   

Buses 

• Buses usually arrive and depart at the same times each day. 
• Bus lanes are seperated from the car drop off area and allows for safer traffic flow for all. 

• Avoid driving in the bus lane or bus zone. There are also designated bus loops at most schools. In accordance with Arizona Administrative Code § R13-13-104, each school shall restrict the loading area to school buses, passengers and school employees. 
• Teachers and staff assist children with getting to/from the right vehicles. 
• Each school has a designated area set aside specifically for parents to drop their children off. 
• Parents should not park their vehicle and leave their vehicle unattended in the drop off or pick up area. 
• If parents choose to walk to the student gate, they must park in a designated parking space 
• There are systems in place at each school so that parents know which line of cars to follow to get to the drop off/pick up location. 
• Once students are in the car, make sure their seatbelts are fastened immediately. 
• To avoid unnecessary back up onto traffic lanes, avoid arriving to school too early to pick up your student. It is recommended that parents arrive no earlier than 10 minutes prior to release. Injuries and citations from local jurisdictions have occurred due to the congestion.  
• Teach students to be responsible pedestrians and discourage horseplay and other dangerous behaviors.

Safety To and From School

If your child walks to school: 

• Discuss the safest route to and from school. 
• Teach children to stop at the curb or edge of the road before crossing streets. 
• Look and listen for traffic to the left, then to the right and then to the left again before crossing. 
• Do not assume that the vehicle you see can see you.
• Children should walk, not run, and should keep scanning for vehicles while crossing. 
• Marked crosswalks make pedestrians more visible to drivers and help make the intersection safer. 
• Never go between parked cars to cross the street.

Bicycle/Scooter Safety: 

• Discuss the safest route to and from school. 
• Familiarize yourself and your student with Arizona Revised Statute Title 28, Article 11, Operation of Bicycles 
• 28-811 Parent and guardian responsibility; applicability of article 
• 28-812 Applicability of traffic laws to bicycle riders 
• 28-813 Riding on bicycles 28-814 Clinging to vehicle 
• 28-815 Riding on roadway and bicycle path; bicycle path usage 
• 28-816 Carrying article on bicycle 
• 28-817 Bicycle equipment 
• Wear a helmet. 
• Do not exceed the intended number of riders.
• Ensure all the bycycle's equipment is in good, working order.  
• Yeld to pedestrians. 
• Ride on the sidewalk on the right side of the road when you can. If not, stay in the bike lane.  If neather are available, ride along the right curb.
• Ride in single file if riding in a group. 
• Dismount and walk at intersections. 
• Obey all traffic lights and signs. Traffic laws apply the same as automobiles. 
• Do not wear earphones while riding.  
• If objects need to be carried, they should be placed in a backpack or a basket, allowing both hands to remain on the handlebars at all times. The backpack should not be so heavy that it affects the balance of the rider. 

Bus Safety: 

• Leave home early enough to avoid running to catch the bus. 
• Wait for the bus on the sidewalk, not in the street. 
• Follow all instructions of the bus driver.
• Stay out of the bus driver’s blind spots.
• Be sure to see the bus driver’s face before crossing, and avoid walking behind or close to its wheels or side of the bus. 
• Walk at least 10 steps beyond the front of the bus before crossing so the driver can see you. 
• If anything is dropped under or in front of the bus, alert the bus driver and do not reach for it. 
• Click here to see our Transportation Safety Page for more information.

Pick Up/Drop Off Safety: 

• Follow the speed limit. Remember, the speed limit is 15 MPH in a school zone, and no passing is allowed. 
• The speed limit on school property is 10 mph and drivers must obey all signs and markings. 
  
• In accordance with ARS § 28-797, do not park or wait in a vehicle line in a schoolzone. it is unsafe and you could recieve a citation.
• Be alert for children in the school zone at all times. 
• Pull all the way forward on the curb to allow other cars ample room. 
  
• Do not double-park, stop in crosswalks, or leave your vehicle unattended unless it is parked in a parking space.
• Do not linger when dropping off or picking up your student.
  

Student Drivers

Student parking lots are busy in the morning and after dismissal. Safety is a primary concern of school staff, but it requires everyone's participation in order to ensure a safe and orderly process. Students should be patient, respectful and courteous to other drivers. 

The student lot is reserved for licenced students with vehicles that are legally insured and registered. Students must obtain a parking permit through the established process on campus and obtain a proper permit. 

 These safety tips can help with a safe arrival and dismissal:   

• Parking is prohibited in fire lanes (ARS § 28-873), disability spaces ARS (§ 28-884), and open/areas. 
• The speed limit on school property is 10 mph and drivers must obey all signs and markings. 
• All drivers will follow the direction of school staff, campus security, and/or police directing traffic. 
• While walking in parking lots, students should always be aware of their surroundings. 
• Reverse slowly and check surroundings when backing.