Published August 27 2024
Busier streets require increased awareness to keep children safe
Children in Bellevue are heading back to school, with Bellevue School District classes starting Tuesday, Sept. 3. Classes at Renton School District start Wednesday, Aug. 28, Issaquah School District starts Thursday, Aug. 29, and Lake Washington School District also starts Sept. 3.
Ensuring traffic rules and best practices are followed is especially important during the school year, when there are more people driving, walking, biking, rolling and taking transit to and from schools. A few reminders are listed below to help keep school children — and our whole community — safe and make the most of our transportation system this school year and all year round.
If you are driving with a child in your vehicle, now is a good time to ensure they’re using the right seat. Washington’s Child Restraint Law covers vehicle occupants up to 16 years old. For more information, visit Washington’s child passenger safety program.
Always follow parking laws, no matter how long you will be parked. Do not park in a fire lane, as this can impede emergency services; park at least 30 feet away from stop signs, 20 feet away from intersections and 5 feet away from driveways.
Explore different options for traveling. Bellevue SchoolPool provides resources for students and families for carpooling, biking, walking and taking a bus. If your child is in the Bellevue School District, you can receive real-time bus updates through the Edulog Parent Bus Tracking Program. Choose Your Way Bellevue has information on non-drive-alone options for trips you take around Bellevue.
To learn more about traffic safety around schools, including information on Walk & Roll to School Day, youth riding transit for free and the city’s traffic safety mascot, PedBee, visit School Traffic Safety.