Yuma News Now

Yuma, Arizona - The Yuma Police Department will be conducting the 5^th Annual “Operation Awareness”. Officers will be assigned school zones and intersections near schools to encourage drivers to obey traffic control devices. Operation Awareness will start Monday August 4, 2008 and will continue during the next few weeks.

The Yuma Police Department wants to remind drivers that designated school zones will be in place starting next week. Posted speed limits in school zones are 15 MPH. Drivers are encouraged to adjust their drive times due to the school zones and with the increased traffic near schools.

Drivers should be aware of students riding bicycles and walking to school.    Parents are encouraged to discuss pedestrian safety and to encourage their children to use designated school zones to cross the street.

Students riding their bicycles are also reminded to wear their helmets in accordance to the city ordinance. Parents should ensure their high school drivers to leave for school early.

Each year accidents occur during the first few weeks of school as there are delays getting into the school facilities. Although the goal of this operation is to gain compliance, enforcement action will be taken.