Back to School Traffic Safety

The Spokane Police Department is emphasizing the importance of road safety as children return to school, urging drivers to slow down and stay focused. The Traffic Unit will actively enforce speed limits around school zones, with photo enforcement cameras becoming operational on Tuesday. Speeding poses a significant threat in school zones, with a recent survey indicating that two-thirds of drivers exceed the speed limit during peak school hours. In Washington, speed-related crashes resulted in 221 deaths in 2024, and distracted driving accounted for 16 fatalities. Spokane's statistics are concerning, with speeding and distraction being factors in over 20 fatal accidents in the past five years.

Parents should educate their children about road rules and encourage the use of reflective clothing for visibility. Additionally, children should be reminded to keep distractions at bay while walking or biking. Ensuring the safety of young students requires a concerted effort from the entire community.