Back to School Traffic Safety

With the return to school, Spokane Police stress the importance of safe driving in school zones. The Traffic Unit will actively enforce speed limits and look for distracted drivers, while photo enforcement cameras will be operational starting Tuesday. Speeding and distracted driving contributed to 221 fatalities across Washington in 2024, highlighting the need for community awareness. In Spokane, these factors have led to over 20 fatal crashes in the past five years. Children are at a higher risk, with survival rates plummeting as vehicle speeds rise.

Parents should remind kids to wear bright clothing and follow road rules, ensuring their safety while walking or biking. Additionally, bus riders are advised to remove backpacks when seated, and younger children must use booster seats until they reach 4’9” tall. Collectively, these measures aim to protect children as they head back to school.