QCPD asks motorists to stay alert as schools reopen

Schools in the Queen Creek Unified School District reopen on Monday and police are issuing their annual safety warning to drivers.

QCPD is asking parents and guardians to plan ahead for drop-offs and pick-ups.

“Please follow school drop-off and pickup procedures, posted signage, stay in designated areas and be patient,” QCPD stated in a press release.

For all motorists, QCPD reminds them that traffic jams or backed-up car lines are not illegal, “but unsafe driving and parking behaviors are.”

Drivers are asked to:

• Avoid distractions, including cell phones
• Not block sidewalks, crosswalks, intersections, driveways or emergency access points
• Know the locations of schools in your area and avoid those zones during busy times, typically 7-9 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.

“QCPD officers are not assigned to direct traffic at school sites. We are there to enforce traffic laws,” the release continued. “Enforcement is not about citations; we are asking you to follow these common sense safety practices.”