Police target speeders as students return to school

With Monday marking the first day of the new school year for thousands of students in San Francisco, police and the Municipal Transportation Agency are stepping up enforcement efforts targeting speeding vehicles this week.

The transit agency identified 10 schools as having issues in the past concerning speeding vehicles, and will have extra police on hand for traffic enforcement. The schools chosen are also near high-injury corridors of pedestrian and bicycle collisions with vehicles.

Mayor Ed Lee said in a statement that drivers have to pay more attention on how fast they are driving near schools:

“Drivers need to be more aware of traveling at safe and appropriate speeds, especially near schools where children learn and play.”

The SFMTA is also putting large electronic signs around The City to remind drivers to slow down and to expect children and families on the streets with the academic school year starting this week.

SFMTA board member Cheryl Brinkman said in a statement that the transit agency’s message is a simple one:

“School is back in session. Please slow down. You could save a child’s life.”

Monday was also the first day of school for 26 new crossing guards. The transit agency said its School Crossing Guard Program has 193 guards at 187 street corners, at 95 schools throughout the City.

Supplemental Muni service will also return to several middle and high schools providing extra bus service for students, according to the transit agency.

The stepped-up traffic enforcement is part of The City’s Vision Zero goal to achieve zero traffic deaths of 2024.

Schools with extra traffic enforcement this week

  • Bessie Carmichael Elementary
  • Archbishop Riordan High School
  • KIPP SF Bay Academy
  • Creative Arts Charter School
  • George Washington High School
  • Ecole Notre Dame des Victoires
  • Edison Charter Academy
  • James Lick Middle School
  • Thurgood Marshall High School
  • West Portal Elementary

Last modified August 20, 2015 11:19 am

Jerold Chinn

Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.

View Comments

  • I think the fact that there has to be guards everywhere to monitor speeding cars is reason enough to get all those kids into SUV's where they belong. For, safety.

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