Beginning this week, little people and not-so-little teens will
be out in force on foot, on bicycles and in cars as Morgan Hill
Unified School District Schools opened their doors for the 2007-08
school year.
Morgan Hill – Beginning this week, little people and not-so-little teens will be out in force on foot, on bicycles and in cars as Morgan Hill Unified School District Schools opened their doors for the 2007-08 school year.
Typically, the first few weeks of the school year are the busiest traffic-wise, according to Morgan Hill police Cmdr. David Swing.
“Parents are learning the traffic procedures of individual schools, more parents are dropping off kids who later might walk, bike or carpool, there are just more people on the road,” he said.
As a result, the police department steps up its enforcement of school zones during the first few weeks of school. Officers are focusing on those areas, looking for a variety of violations, including speeding, not yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk, parking in no-parking zones and reckless driving in general.
“We hope everyone will realize that there are more people on the road and allow themselves plenty of time in the morning,” he said. “Leave early enough so they are not tempted to speed, especially in the school zones. Be aware that things are going to be hectic, traffic is going to be a little worse. And be aware that there are also many young drivers, many first time drivers on the road as they go to high school.”
Morning bells at many MHUSD schools ring as early as 7:40am, some as late as 9am, and students are released throughout the day, as morning Kindergarten classes end before higher grades let out, which for some schools is as early as 1:40pm and for some as late as 3:10pm.
Swing said it is a good idea for people to be aware throughout the day that there is the possibility that students will be in crosswalks or on sidewalks or riding bikes along the roadway.
“Hopefully, parents will realize it’s going to be a bit chaotic and plan for that,” he said, and “give themselves some extra time in the morning particularly.”
