Full Notification

Tuesday is the first day of school for our elementary and middle schools. Here are some safe driving tips which can prevent accidents and save lives:

** SLOW DOWN!!!! Remember, school zone speeds are 25 MPH.  However, due to conditions, the safe speed may be lower than 25.

**There is still a great deal of road construction that is in progress.  Although work hours have been changed to reduce the effect upon school traffic, expect delays – leave early and watch for workers and equipment in the roadway.

** Stop and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. You are required to wait until the pedestrian is out of the crosswalk before you drive through it.

** Always stop when a crossing guard is in the crosswalk. Again, you are required to stop until the crossing guard has left the crosswalk.

** You are required to stop when a school bus stops and flashing red lights are displayed. You must STOP both when you are behind the bus and when approaching from the other direction.

** Be alert for children walking or riding their bicycles. Remember that kids may be focused on their friends or getting to school - not on the cars around them.

** Don't text and drive and only use the hands free option for your phone. Distracted driving can kill - please don't do it.

** Please take the time to talk with your teen drivers about driving safely. Car crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths - and 25% of these fatal crashes occur during after school hours.

The Orinda Police will be actively enforcing traffic laws around our schools as we work to keep our streets safe for kids. Please don't become a statistic by receiving a citation or, worse, being involved in an accident.

If you have any questions about traffic safety, please call the Orinda Police at 925-254-6820. To report a non-emergency incident, please call 925-284-5010. For Emergencies, Call 9-1-1.

Please drive safely and slowly while watching out for kids on and around our roadways.