This year, on either side of Labor Day Weekend, school districts around western Washington will open their doors for a new school year. That means it is time to review school safety driving skills 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.
For this school year, cities are starting or adding more school zone speed limit cameras. The City of Seattle has been using fixed speed limit cameras in school zones since 2012. More school zone speed limit cameras have been installed for this new school year, bringing the total up to 35 schools.
In Tacoma, the city now has four school speed zone cameras. And in Everett, a new one has been installed along Casino Road near Horizon Elementary.
The speed cameras operate when the school zone flashing beacons are in operation. Driving at or under the 20 mph school zone speed limit gives drivers and children walking additional time to see each other and react. The goal is improving safety for all involved. To learn more about the City of Seattle's road safety improvement program, go here.
In 2024, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 2384 that expanded local jurisdiction authority to use automated enforcement such as school zone speed limit cameras.
In Washington, speeding through a school zone involves a doubled fine when compared to a regular speeding ticket. For example, going 10 mph over the speed limit has a fine of $136, but in a school zone, that fine doubles to $272. In addition, the doubled fine cannot be waived, reduced, or suspended.
School buses are a key issue and deserve a refresher. All drivers traveling on a two-lane road shall stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing and the paddle stop sign extended.
When school bus lights are yellow prior to stopping, slow down and prepare to stop, and avoid zipping around the bus before it stops with red lights flashing.
On multi-lane roadways, only motorists driving in the same direction as the bus need to stop.
Many students walk, ride bicycles, or these days use motorized scooters to and from school. There are areas that do not have sidewalks, meaning those students will be on the side of the road. Give them plenty of room and slow down.
Be fully aware of crossing zones and stop when students and crossing volunteers show flags for safe crossings. For bicycles or scooters, provide at least three feet of passing space at a slow speed 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 in a safe manner — the rules of the road apply equally.
Law enforcement also plans to have emphasis patrols in place around many schools as the school season begins. These school safety 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.
All of these school safety driving skills become increasingly important as the days grow shorter and the nights longer, along with the weather turning wet, foggy, and cooler.
This story was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com
Ted Buehner is the KIRO Newsradio meteorologist. Follow him on X and Bluesky. Read more of his stories here.