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SANTA PAULA — As the beginning of the new school year approaches this week, the Santa Paula Police Department reminds residents, parents, students, and school staff to practice caution and safety in observance of drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and school buses.
The first day of school is August 11, 2025. Vehicle and pedestrian traffic will be impacted during drop-off and pickup times. Here are helpful tips for back to school traffic safety:
• Observe and obey speed limits in school zone. School zone posted speed limit is 25 MPH
• Follow the respective school drop-off and pick-up plans to minimize congestion
• Pedestrian Safety – parents and students use designated crosswalks or intersections to safely get to your
destination. Before crossing, look left, right, and left again to see if cars are coming
• Bicyclists – ride on the right side of the road with the flow of traffic, walk bikes across the street, and wear
a properly fitted helmet & bright clothing
• School Bus Safety – If necessary, go to the bus stop with your child so they follow instructions on how to
properly get on and off the bus
• Drivers – Be observant for pedestrians crossing and share the road with bicyclists
• Drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists be predictable and proceed with caution to avoid collisions
• Observe crossing guards, message boards and crosswalk flashing signals/signs, and obey their signs and
direction
• Police Officers will conduct directed patrols in front of or near schools at drop-off and pick-up times during according to school schedules throughout the City.
Please take special note of the new “Daylighting Law”. Effective January 1, 2025, it is a violation of California Vehicle Code section 22500(n) to stop or park a vehicle within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk (see attached diagram). The purpose of this traffic law is to increase the field of vision for motorists approaching intersections with marked our unmarked crosswalks. It is also designed to reduce vehicle vs pedestrian traffic collisions and save lives.
• Common causes of traffic collisions in school zones that officers will focus on traffic enforcement:
o Speeding – not driving at a safe speed to react to pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles
o Failure to stop at stop signs – not stopping completely or allow pedestrians to cross safely at an intersection
o Unsafe passing – driving over solid lines into opposing traffic to get around stopped vehicles
o Failure to Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks – not allowing for pedestrians to completely cross the street before resuming travel
The Santa Paula Police Department supports traffic safety for our students, schools, and neighborhoods. Please travel safely, slow down, and allow extra travel time to reach your destination.