As the school bells begin ringing across the City, The Lincoln Police Department will conduct traffic enforcement projects in school zones from August 13 through 30. “Officers will work overtime in school zones citywide during arrival and dismissal times,” says LPD Public Information Manager Erika Thomas.
She says this effort is part of LPD’s ongoing commitment to reducing preventable crashes and injuries involving school-aged pedestrians. “In 2023, more than 25,000 children were injured nationwide in school zone-related incidents, according to the National Safety Council.”
Thomas says research consistently shows that speeding and distracted driving are the two biggest contributors to those injuries. “Parents, guardians and all drivers are encouraged to review school zone laws, build extra time into their morning and afternoon routines and model safe behavior for the next generation of drivers.”
The enforcement initiative is made possible by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office, which allows officers to dedicate time exclusively to school zone safety without being diverted for other calls.