School will officially be back in session this month.  The Pima County Sheriff’s Department would like to reassure all parents that we are working diligently to keep your little ones safe on their journey to and from school.  The Pima County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting increased enforcement during the month of August and throughout the entire school year, in and around schools and school zones.  We will be targeting motorists who do not stop for school buses, speed in school zones, and fail to stop for pedestrians in crossing zones, to name a few.  Motorists should remember and be aware of the following statutes:

• ARS 28-797E           Exceeding 15 MPH in a school zone.
• ARS 28-644A1         Failure to obey traffic control device
  (School zone signs prohibit passing in a school zone.  Passing is overtaking another vehicle going in the same direction.  This violation occurs frequently on roadways where there are multiple lanes in each direction.)
• ARS 28-857              Passing stopped school bus
  (Vehicles shall stop if a school bus is stopped and displaying the proper lights and the stop sign commonly seen on the left hand side of the bus.)
• ARS 28-724B           Overtaking on the right
  (The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle on the right only under conditions permitting the movement in safety.  The driver shall NOT make the movement by driving off the pavement or main traveled portion of the roadway.)
• ARS 28-901B           When receiving or discharging children at the school, a person who drives a vehicle carrying children to and from school shall stop the vehicle on the side of the roadway in which the school is located.
• ARS 28-792              Failure to yield right of way to pedestrians at crosswalk
  (Vehicles must stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk and may not pass another vehicle stopped for a pedestrian.)

Most schools have a specific plan as to the route that should be followed by parents who are taking or dropping off children at school.  If parents are unaware of their children’s school plan, they should inquire at the school office.

Many children ride bicycles to and from school.  Parents should be reminded that children under the age of eighteen (18) are required by law to wear a helmet any time they are riding a bicycle.

Deputies from the Traffic Unit, Motor Unit, and School Resource Officers will focus primarily on stopping speeding motorists around school zones and maintaining the safety of your children.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is encouraging the press to participate in this enforcement.  Please contact the Public Information Officer if you would like to participate in a ride-a-long.