Operation Safe Schools writes less tickets this year during
annual crackdown
Safe driving in school zones is an issue every time kids pack up their backpacks and head back to school, but this year, it seems Morgan Hill residents have heard the message about the importance of caution in school zones.
“Officers who have been out at the schools as a part of Operation Safe School have reported that this year, the traffic situation is not as chaotic,” Morgan Hill Police Cmdr. Joe Sampson said Friday. “People seem more observant of the rules as they travel to school or through school zones.”
When school started Monday, officers were out in force. Patrol cars could be seen parked nearby all district schools at some point during the mornings. Officers were on the lookout for speeders, for unsafe driving practices, such as turning in front of other drivers or failing to give pedestrians the right of way in a crosswalk. Pedestrians were also under observation, as officers watched to be sure they stayed within crosswalks.
Sampson said the total of citations issued by Friday morning was far lower than last year: 19 total citations, with 14 for speeding, one for illegal parking and four for other unsafe driving practices. Eight warnings were also issued.
During last year’s back-to-school blitz, officers issued 45 citations and 35 warnings.
While Monday’s traffic around schools was congested, with many people taking their children for their first day of school, the traffic eased as the week continued, perhaps as carpools formed, children riding buses and parents learning the “routine” at the schools.
“I think something else that helps is the staggered times of the schools,” Sampson said. “If the traffic is not as bad, people are less likely to act foolishly because they don’t want their child to be late. When traffic is lighter, people are likely to behave appropriately, parking in the correct places and letting their children out at designated drop-off spots rather than unsafe spots.”
