As most students within the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) resume sessions Wednesday, the volume of pedestrian traffic surrounding the schools will increase dramatically. The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) has released an advisory to encourage commuters to follow the laws of the road in an effort to prevent avoidable accidents.

All drivers are reminded to:

  • Yield the right of way to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalksNot overtake and pass a vehicle(s) stopped ahead of you when it has stopped for a pedestrian
  • Yield the right of way to pedestrians on sidewalks
  • Obey posted speed limits
  • Never drive while distracted – (examples: using a cell phone, reading, applying make-up, etc.)
  • Stop and remain stopped for school buses with “flashing red lights” – opposing traffic must also stop unless a painted or raised divider separates the roadway.Watch and obey Crossing Guards … they are there to protect children!

Pedestrians are reminded to:

  • Yield to vehicles on the roadway if you are outside the crosswalk
  • Not cross between intersections controlled by traffic signals (to do so would constitute jaywalking)

Parents are reminded to:

  • Obey all parking signs/curb markings—they are designed to protect children and provide optimum traffic flow
  • Do not double park; it interrupts the flow of traffic and makes it difficult for pedestrians to see oncoming traffic
  • Follow school drop off procedures and always drop your child off on the curbside of the school
  • Teach your child to always cross the street at a crosswalk

The LBPD also stated its commitment to pedestrian and motorist safety and iterated that traffic laws will be strictly enforced at and around LBUSD schools. For further information, please contact the Long Beach Police Department’s Traffic Section at (562) 570-7355.

Asia Morris is a Long Beach native covering arts and culture for the Long Beach Post. You can reach her @hugelandmass on Twitter and Instagram and at [email protected].