As students return to classrooms across Riverside County, law enforcement officials are asking drivers, parents and students to make safety a priority during the busy first weeks of the 2026–27 school year.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is recognizing August as Back to School Safety Month, with stations throughout the county reminding motorists to slow down, follow posted speed limits and pay close attention when traveling near schools. The department has issued safety reminders in communities including Moreno Valley, Perris, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells.
“This time of year brings increased activity around schools and it’s crucial to be mindful behind the wheel,” Deputy Ricardo Torres said in an August 6 announcement. “Every driver plays a role in keeping children safe by slowing down and paying close attention in and around school zones.”
School zones can become particularly busy during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup periods. Sheriff's officials are reminding motorists to follow each school's procedures for dropping off and picking up students, watch carefully for children walking near streets and yield to pedestrians at both marked and unmarked crosswalks.
Drivers are also being reminded to watch for school buses. Motorists should be prepared for children who may suddenly enter or cross the roadway while rushing to catch a bus or after getting off one. Following traffic laws, avoiding distractions and allowing extra travel time can help reduce risks as families settle back into their school-year routines.
The reminders come as schools throughout Riverside County begin their new academic year on varying schedules. The Riverside County Office of Education maintains calendars for the county's school districts, reflecting the different schedules followed by communities across the region.
The return to school also means more pedestrians, bicyclists, buses and family vehicles sharing roads that may have been significantly quieter during summer vacation.
For parents, the beginning of the school year offers an opportunity to review basic safety practices with children, including using designated crosswalks, remaining alert around moving vehicles and following instructions from school crossing guards and staff.
For drivers, authorities say one of the most important steps is also one of the simplest: slow down.
With thousands of Riverside County families returning to their daily school routines this August, a few extra moments of patience behind the wheel can help ensure students arrive at school — and return home — safely each day.