SNOHOMISH COUNTY, AUG. 27: For many, Labor Day Weekend marks the end of summer and the beginning of school. With school resuming, it is time to review safe driving practices and break summer season driving habits around schools.
For motorists, obey the 20-mph school-zone speed limit. Many roadways with nearby schools also have flashing yellow lights and signs, reminding motorists of marked school zones. And now, some have speed cameras.
Sharing the road with school buses is a key issue and deserves a refresher. All drivers traveling on a two-lane road need to stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and the paddle stop sign extended. When school bus lights are yellow before stopping, slow down and prepare to stop, and avoid zipping around the bus before it fully stops with red lights flashing.
On multi-lane roadways such as Evergreen Way, Bothell-Everett Hwy, or State Street in Marysville, only motorists driving in the same direction as the bus need to stop.
Many students walk or ride bicycles to and from school, and many areas do not have sidewalks, meaning those students will be on the side of the road. Be fully aware of crossing zones and stop when students and crossing volunteers show flags for safe crossings. For bicycles, provide at least 3 feet of passing space and slow down to avoid collisions. It is also important for students walking or cycling to and from school to follow the rules of the road by commuting safely – the rules of the road apply equally.
Law enforcement plans to have emphasis patrols in place around many schools. Hence, these school safety driving reminders are critical. Fines for passing stopped school buses and speeding through school zones are steep and will adversely impact driving records and insurance rates.
During the 2024-25 school year, Marysville Police reported more than 1,000 school-related violations. Police issued 553 citations for speeding in school zones, with many drivers traveling 15 mph or more over the 20-mph speed limit, often disregarding flashing warning lights and signs. School zone violations are a minimum of a $214 fine and a big mark on driving records that insurance companies closely review.
Marysville Police also reported 506 violations involving school buses. Many drivers failed to stop for buses with flashing red lights and extended stop paddles. In addition, they reported 14 school zone violations, including disobeying school crossing flaggers, failure to yield to children in crosswalks, reckless driving and DUI offenses while school was in session.
These reported violations were just in Marysville. Other North Sound law enforcement agencies, unfortunately, report similar school zone and school bus violations.
As summer comes to an end and the school year begins, driving habits need to quickly adjust. These skills become increasingly important to help maintain safety as days grow shorter and nights longer, along with the weather turning foggy, wet and cooler in the coming months.
