Full Notification

As Sunnyvale students return to school next week, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety would like to remind motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians of safe transportation practices and to observe applicable laws near school zones.
 
To help ensure that students arrive to and from school safely, it is essential that everyone using the roadways adhere to the rules of the road.
 
Drivers please always:

• Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits, both in school zones and in neighborhoods surrounding the school.
• Comply with local school drop-off and pick-up procedures for the safety of all children accessing the school.
• Avoid double parking or stopping on crosswalks to let children out of the car. Double parking will block visibility for other children and other motorists. Visibility is further reduced during the rain and fog seasons when condensation forms on car windows.
• Avoid loading or unloading children at locations across the street from the school. This forces kids to unnecessarily cross busy streets—often mid-block rather than at a crosswalk.
• Prepare to stop for a school bus when overhead yellow lights are flashing. Drive with caution when you see yellow hazard warning lights are flashing on a moving or stopped bus.
• Stop for a school bus if its red overhead lights are flashing, regardless of the direction from which the driver is approaching. Drivers must not proceed until the school bus resumes motion and the red lights stop flashing, or until signaled by the school bus driver to proceed.
• Watch for children walking or bicycling (both on the road and the sidewalk) in areas near a school.
• Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops. Watch for children arriving late for the bus, who may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• Watch for children walking or biking to school when backing up (out of a driveway or leaving a garage).
• Watch for crossing guards and listen to their instructions. 

Remember that cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles. Drivers, please always remember:

• When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist.
• When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass.
• If you're turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals.
• Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this.
• Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods.
• Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars.
• Check side mirrors before opening your door.

 Pedestrians and school bus riders please remember:

• When crossing the street, look left-right-left for cars. Do not cross if a car is coming.
• Pedestrians should access the roadway at designated intersections and crosswalks. Leave the curb or place of safety only when you have the right of way.
• LOOK in all directions for approaching traffic.
• LISTEN in all directions for approaching traffic.
• THINK about whether it is safe to cross the road – when the road is clear or all traffic has stopped.
• When crossing, walk straight across the road. Keep looking and listening for traffic while crossing.
• When waiting on the school bus, wait at least 5 giant steps from the road. When the school bus arrives, wait until the driver says to board.
• When exiting the bus, look out for cars. When off of the bus, take at least 5 giant steps away from the bus. Look left-right-left to make sure no cars are coming and make sure to only cross when it is safe to do so.

 Students cycling to school:

• Wear your helmet and buckle it every time. It's the law. To best protect your brain, your helmet must fit properly: snug and level on your head, just above your eyebrows.
• Be predictable. Obey all stop signs and traffic signals. Never ride the wrong way. 
• Be alert. Watch out for drivers turning left or right, and for drivers coming out of driveways. Avoid car doors opening in front of you by riding outside of the door zone. Yield to pedestrians.
• Be visible. Use a bright headlight and taillight at night.
• Avoid texting, phone calls, or listening to music while biking.

Parents, please make sure to review this important information with your children. By incorporating these safety tips into your daily routines, your children will learn safe habits that will last a lifetime.

You can also help us improve safety and reduce congestion along the school commute routes by choosing alternatives to commuting by vehicle alone whenever possible. Biking and walking to school provides a healthy alternative for the family. Carpooling with a neighbor also helps the reduction of traffic in and around the schools. If you find yourself driving to school, we ask that you share the road safely and use extra caution near school areas, or even drop off your child at the end of the block. It is important to keep a sharp eye out for bicyclists and pedestrians. Make sure that you and the occupants of your car are using their seat belts properly and that they exit the vehicle on the sidewalk side. Allow yourself extra time and avoid the last-minute rush.

Throughout this school year, our Traffic Unit, Neighborhood Resource Officer Unit, and patrol personnel will be conducting enforcement efforts on school commute routes. If an officer observes a safety violation, a citation will most likely be issued. Some of the most common vehicle violations that occur near our schools are speeding, illegal U-turns, failure to obey posted signs, failure to stop at stop signs, cell phone violations, seat belt violations, and failure to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. In order to ensure a safe and orderly flow of traffic, parking violations such as parking in a red or loading zone, double parking, and blocking driveways will be enforced.
 
Let's all work together in order to have the safest school commute possible in Sunnyvale during the 2017/2018 school year. If you have any traffic enforcement questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our traffic safety unit at 408-730-7109.
 
Wishing all students and teachers a successful school year! Our School Resource Officers are excited to head back to school to see old students and meet new students!