Back to School Traffic Safety

Spokane Police Department calls on drivers to obey speed limits as children return to school. The Traffic Unit will enforce school zone speeds and monitor for distracted driving, with photo enforcement cameras activated. A national survey found that two-thirds of drivers exceed the speed limit in school zones during peak times. In Washington, speed-related crashes killed 221 people in 2024, with distracted driving accounting for 16 fatalities. Over the past five years, speeding and distracted driving contributed to more than 20 fatal crashes in Spokane.

Parents should ensure walking and biking children are seen by providing bright clothing and remind them of road rules. Children must be seated properly on buses and in vehicles according to safety guidelines. Community cooperation is vital to protect children during this back-to-school season.