With another school year begining in Seal Beach yesterday, Wednesday, Aug. 29, the Seal Beach Police Department is again educating residents and school families regarding the importance of school and traffic safety. Please pay specific attention to these common areas for concern, safety and enforcement.
• Please remember if the crossing guard “STOP” sign is up and the crossing guard is not on the sidewalk you cannot drive through the crosswalk. It is a violation to turn or drive through the crosswalk when the school crossing guard is in the crosswalk.
• Please check the signs before dropping your kids off curbside. Many of the signs prohibit stopping of any kind and this includes dropping off or picking up your kids. The Seal Beach Police Department will be on and around the McGaugh School campus enforcing all traffic laws.
• School buses: Please remember to stop for school buses as your approaching from behind and from the opposite side if their lights are illuminated and bus stop signs are extended. Fines could reach as high as $1,000.
• Pay specific attention to the bicycle lanes. You cannot drive past a line of stopped cars in the bicycle lane.
• Pay attention to the turn signs leaving McGaugh as left turns are prohibited into and out of all of the driveways except the driveway closest to Riviera.
• Please watch your speed.
• Wear your seatbelts and be a good example to your children.
• When transporting younger siblings, please have them in the appropriate car seat or booster seat.
• Children under the age of 8 must be secured in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat.
• Children under the age of 8 who are 4 feet 9 inches or taller may be secured by a safety belt in the back seat.
• Please do not talk or text while you’re driving.
• Avoid road rage incidents and call 911 if it is an immediate safety hazard or is an issue in need of immediate police attention.
If you have a complaint about another driver or a safety issue, please contact the on duty Watch Commander at (562) 799-4115 with specific times, vehicle descriptions, locations and directions of travel. The Seal Beach Police Department will continue to enforce these safety concerns vigorously as the safety of our children is of paramount importance. Please understand there will be no grace period for enforcement.
For more information about Seal Beach, please see our city website: www.sealbeachca.gov. If there are any questions, please contact Sgt. Steve Bowles at (562) 799-4100 Ext 1160.
Sgt. Steve Bowles, of the Seal Beach Police Department, grew up in Rossmoor.
