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# Drivers urged to be cautious as school opens
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/drivers-urged-to-be-cautious-as-school-opens/
- Published: 2026-08-20T10:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-20T09:59:59.000Z
- Author: Matthew Hall
- Tags: Education, Santa Monica

Santa Monica students return to class this week prompting Santa Monica police and city transportation officials to urge drivers, cyclists and pedestrians to slow down and stay alert amid the seasonal surge in traffic around local schools.

The Santa Monica Police Department said the start of the school year brings a sharp increase in vehicle, bicycle, e-bike and pedestrian traffic near campuses, particularly during morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal, and asked drivers to build extra time into their commutes.

"Getting students safely to school is a responsibility we all share," Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob said in a statement. "Slow down. Put the phone away. Pay attention to what is happening around you. A few extra seconds of patience can make a meaningful difference when children are walking, biking and riding through our neighborhoods."

Police asked drivers to follow posted speed limits, obey crossing guards, avoid distractions, check mirrors and blind spots before turning or opening doors, and refrain from double parking or stopping in bike lanes and crosswalks near schools.

The department also flagged e-bikes as a growing concern, noting that some vehicles marketed as e-bikes are legally classified as electric motorcycles or off-highway vehicles that minors may not be permitted to ride on public streets. SMPD urged parents to confirm how their child's vehicle is classified before allowing them on the road, and asked young riders to wear helmets, obey traffic signals, avoid phone use, and never weave through traffic.

National data underscores why officials emphasize this time of year. In 2025, federal transportation researchers found pedestrian deaths among school-age children peak between 3 and 4 p.m. and nearly one in four fatal teen-driver crashes occurs between 3 and 7 p.m.

Locally, the city's Mobility Division and the GoSaMo Transportation Management Organization set up information tables at Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District registration events this month to help families plan school commutes.

"The first week of school is an exciting time for students and families, but it can also bring heavier traffic and new routines," Transportation Planning Assistant Edgar Mejia wrote in a city post, encouraging families to consider walking, biking, riding Big Blue Bus, carpooling or combining transit with walking to help ease congestion around schools.

The city also reminded families that students can obtain a GoPass through their school, which provides free, unlimited rides on several transit agencies including Big Blue Bus and LA Metro, and encouraged riders to plan routes and bus stops before the first day.

For drivers, the city repeated many of SMPD's core reminders: slow down in school zones, watch for students near crosswalks, and follow posted drop-off procedures rather than double parking. Pedestrians and cyclists were advised to use marked crosswalks, wear properly fitted helmets, and make eye contact with drivers before crossing.

Students traveling independently were also encouraged to know their route in advance and avoid distractions while crossing streets, while bicyclists were reminded to ride predictably, use hand signals and remain visible to motorists.

Both the police department and the city's mobility office framed the effort as a shared responsibility among everyone using Santa Monica's streets during the transition back to the school routine.

"A safe school year starts with a safe trip to school," the department said.