The Antelope Valley Times

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Palmdale traffic deputies increasing patrols around schools

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(Courtesy LASD)
(Courtesy LASD)

PALMDALE – In recent weeks, Palmdale traffic deputies have been increasing their patrols around many of the schools in the City of Palmdale. The start and ending times around the schools are known for traffic issues, with many of the issues stemming from too many cars in one place at the same time.

Many problems around school areas are caused by drivers who:

  • Park illegally in red zones.
  • Stop in traffic lanes and impede traffic.
  • Turn where turns are prohibited.
  • Speed in the school zones.
  • Fail to stop at the direction of a crossing guard.
  • Drop children off in the middle of the street.

Additional problems exist when students run through traffic, crossing from one side of the street to the other, without using crosswalks at the traffic controlled signals or utilizing the safety of the crossing guards.

Another problem lies away from the schools but is school related. Throughout the City, school busses stop along roadways to pick up students. All of the busses are equipped with red flashing lights in the front and back. Many also have a stop sign that swings out from the left side of the bus with a flashing red light. The back of the bus is also signed with “STOP WHEN RED LIGHTS FLASH”.

Still, it is not unusual to see many drivers disregard all of those warnings and drive past the loading bus. This is not only illegal, but a serious safety issue for the students, as well. Many of these students are headed to elementary schools and do not have the knowledge to keep themselves safe. It is up to the parents and adults to ensure these young children arrive at school safely.

The Palmdale Sheriff Station will be using its motorcycle deputies as well as those deputies assigned to cars to increase awareness of safe driving around the schools. Most often, the problem comes from the parents thinking more about convenience than the importance of safety, either for themselves or their children. Surprisingly, around the high schools, it is the parents violating most of the laws and not the younger teen drivers.

If you are driving in a school zone and violate the laws, don’t be surprised to see a deputy behind you stopping you for a violation. The stops are made with the intention of altering the driving practices of the individual. It is not just about a ticket.

Please drive safe around the schools and be patient. With the help of the parents, students, school staff and Palmdale Sheriff’s Station deputies, we can increase the safety for all children at the schools in the City of Palmdale.

(Information via press release from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station.)

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9 comments for "Palmdale traffic deputies increasing patrols around schools"

  1. We need the officers at Mesquite elementary school as parents constantly double park, drive way too fast and on the kindergarten pick up site they constantly park in the red and next to the fire hydrants. Hard to teach my grandchildren the right way to do things when they see these others breaking the laws!!!

  2. I have NOT yet seen this at Desert Rose and it is well needed. Parents are encouraging their students to jay walk across to them and them, cars are stopped in the crosswalk not to mention parked on the corners to where it blocks you from making a right turn and parked in the red ((SMH)) so I will believe it when I see it

  3. Great news! Entitled parents think they dont have to follow the law and risk hurting innocent children.

  4. … traffic ticket revenue. Ponch and John making a grab, for a slice of our residual income — asj.

  5. Stupid parents think they have to pick up the ‘kids’ at the front door of the school like chauffeurs at a fancy hotel. Can’t they designate a spot a block or two away to meet for a quick approach and getaway from all the traffic?

    Of course, that would defeat the desire to be picked up in the big fancy SUV the soccer mom drives. There was a commercial a few years ago for an upscale SUV that showed the nerdy kid impressing the other kids when he got picked up in the Belchfire SuperUltra SUV or whatever it was.

    Again, stupid, stupid parents.

  7. It’s about time!! Parents dropping off their kids clog up streets stopping in the middle of the road and speeding through the cross walk even when the crossing guard is holding up the “stop” sign. As a nearby homeowner near Esperanza Elementary, I welcome the Sheriffs to my neighborhood to patrol the area. I hope the residential neighborhood speed limits are enforced, as well.