Traffic Tips for Dropping Off and Picking Up Your Children from School

From the Fremont Police Department:

The Fremont Police Department’s Traffic Unit in partnership with Fremont Unified School District has identified child safety in and around schools as a top priority. 

Since the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, two children riding bicycles have been involved in collisions on their way to school.  In addition, the police department has received a recent influx of traffic complaints from our community, specifically in relation to driving issues during the drop-off/pick-up time.  While it is not possible to have an officer at every school on a daily basis, the Traffic Unit will be conducting regular site visits in the upcoming weeks to each of the schools during drop-off and pick-up times.  The primary goal of their effort will be to help educate motorists on the dangers of driving in school zones, while specifically enforcing distracted driving, moving and parking violations. 

The Traffic Unit has the following advice and tips for motorists who participate in drop-off/pick-up activities.  

Don’t:

• Let your child out of the vehicle in a traffic lane
• Pull onto the shoulder of the road if it is posted “no stopping."
• Disobey a crossing guard.
• Cross the street unless you are in a designated cross-walk.
• Let your child ride a bike without a bicycle helmet.
• Double park.
• Park in a red zone or in front of a fire hydrant.
• Park in a designated and posted “no stopping zone”
• Drive Distracted (eating, drinking coffee, texting, talking on a phone, etc.).
• Park on a corner or block a handicapped ramp.
• Disobey a stop sign.
• Block a driveway.
• Drive your child under the age of 8 unless he/she is in a child safety seat or booster.
• Speed.
• Park in a handicapped stall unless you have a valid placard.

• Leave early and give yourself extra time for drop-off/pickup.
• Use the school’s designated drop-off/pick-up area.
• Follow the guidance of all posted signs.
• Park and walk your child into school.
• Drive carefully and be extra cautious in and around schools.
• Get involved and offer to help your school with drop-off/pick-up.
• Be a responsible driver.
• Report a traffic complaint online at www.fremontpolice.org.