Back to school in Yuma brings spike in pedestrian accidents.

YUMA, Ariz. – Summer is practically over and with the end of summer brings congestion to the streets of Yuma.

The dreaded traffic congestion full of school buses making constant stops to load and unload hurried children trying to make it on time to school and parents dropping off children will really add an extra couple of minutes to your commute.

During this time local law enforcement also sees a spike in pedestrian accidents usually due to motorists not sharing the roads with school buses, bicyclists and pedestrians. Other incidents include drivers not following simple driving rules.

Sgt. Lori Franklin with the Yuma Police Department mentions the importance of practicing extra caution during this back to school season.

“All of it is depends on you, the licensed driver, to drive correctly,” says Franklin. “Follow traffic rules, leave early, you know how the traffic is going to be like and also be patient.”

Yuma PD currently does not have enough police officers to place at over 30 schools within Yuma city limits for traffic control.

Some other safety precautions you can take:

– Never pass a bus, from behind or either direction, if it is unloading or loading children, it is illegal.
– Slow down, pay attention and be alert when children are present before and after school.
– The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.

Local enforcement encourages the public to practice these safety precautions to help make the start of the school year a safe one.