As students of the Bellevue School District return to classes on September 1, the city of Bellevue is reminding students, parents, residents and commuters of the upcoming increase in traffic near schools.

Returning for another year is Bellevue SchoolPool, a program which explores sustainable transportation options for commuting to and from schools, with the goal of reducing congestion at arrival and dismissal zones.

To encourage drivers to obey speed limits, the city of Bellevue’s school zone photo enforcement cameras will operate during times the zone lights are flashing near Odle Middle School, and at Stevenson, Lake Hills and Sunset Elementary Schools. Additionally, officers of the Bellevue Police Department will regularly enforce school speed zone limits.

Some general back-to-school driving safety precautions the city recommends residents take include:

• Slowing down and watching for children who are out walking, biking and rolling–especially at intersections, crosswalks and when entering and exiting school parking lots
• Park responsibly when picking up or dropping off children at school. Parking within 30 feet of a stop sign, within 20 feet of an intersection and within 5 feet of a driveway are not allowed.
• Adhere to the 20 MPH speed limit in school zones.
• Avoid stopping in the middle of the street for drop-off and pick-ups, which is unsafe for kids and creates unnecessary traffic jams
• Pay attention while driving and don’t be distracted by electronics.