News/Events

Video condones caution

By Joey Airdo, Independent Newspapers

North Scottsdale's school district and the city's police department officials are taking steps to ensure children make it to campus safe and sound.

Scottsdale Police Department produced a video addressing school zone safety with Scottsdale Unified School District last month to prepare for the new academic year. The video, available on the city's Web site, www.scottsdaleaz.gov, offers tips to motorists from a school crossing guard, a motorcycle patrol officer and a school bus driver.

SUSD spokeswoman Marijke Van Fleet issued a press release Aug. 7 announcing the school district's involvement on the campaign. She noted motorists should keep an eye out for school crossing guards.

"These folks are easy to see," she stated. "They wear brightly colored vests and hold stop signs to help students across the street."

Superintendent John Baracy, Ed.D., expressed the importance of the project's impact on students who returned to SUSD campuses Aug. 13.

"We want to ensure the safety of our students as they make their way to and from school," he stated in the release.

Scottsdale Police Department spokeswoman Shawn Sanders expressed similar messages in an Aug. 7 press release.

"Students will be walking or riding their bikes to school and motorists need to be aware of the increased pedestrian traffic in and around schools," she stated. "Buses will be loading up children and the familiar flashing lights and red stop signs will be at work."

Ms. Sanders encouraged drivers to watch the video and refresh their memories regarding school zone laws.

In the video, crossing guard Diana Ozee said she hopes motorists obey all school zone signs.

"One big problem I have is people do not look on both sides of the street," she explained.

The crossing guard added U-turns are also prohibited in school zones.

School bus driver Christine Robbins said in the video she turns on the vehicle's flashing amber lights about 200 yards before each student stop. Once in neutral, the bus's stop sign and red lights engage allowing children to exit the vehicle safely.

The video also depicts Scottsdale Police Department motor officer Mark Johnson making a traffic stop for a motorist passing another vehicle in a school zone.

The speed limit for all school zones is 15 mph, according to Ms. Sanders. She stated passing is prohibited in these zones -- even if drivers are traveling at or below the speed limit.