As the new school year approaches, the Peoria Police Department offered some safety tips to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable school year.

The department encourages parents and guardians to constantly discuss safety and the following items before school starts. As always, the police department can be contacted with any questions.

Bus Safety

• While waiting for the bus make sure to be paying attention to what is going on around you.

• Make sure you look for traffic in both directions if you need to cross the street to get to your bus stop.

• When a school bus has its red lights flashing and the stop arm extended, motorists traveling in both directions are required by law to stop until the lights and arm are deactivated.

Crosswalk Safety

• Please be alert for students that are walking to school and utilizing marked crosswalks.

• When crosswalk signals are activated, motorists are required to slow down and possibly stop for students crossing the street.

• Students, please look both ways to ensure that all traffic has stopped prior to entering the crosswalk.

School Speed Zones

• Please pay attention to the posted signs near and around your local schools.

• Posted school speed zones require drivers to slow to the posted speed until they have fully crossed through the zone.

Biking / Walking to School

• If biking to school, use the marked bicycle lanes and obey all traffic laws.

• Make sure you are wearing a properly fit bicycle helmet.

• While walking to school make sure you use the sidewalk and do not walk in the roadway.

• Do not become so focused on playing games on a phone or listening to music that you cannot see or hear what is going on around you.

• If someone offers you a ride; say “no” and tell an adult.

For a video highlighting these important safety tips, go to the department's social media pages @PeoriaPoliceAZ (Facebook, X, Instagram, Nextdoor).