San Marino Police Stresses Safety as Students Travel Back to School

San Marino's police department is urging motorists to take extra care when traveling on Huntington Drive Wednesday, as students could be either walking or biking back to school on the school-packed street.

A police release points out that the speed limit along Huntington Drive is typically 40 mph, but lowers to 25 when students are present. 

Students will be in the area from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. during the morning and from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30p.m. after school. During the first week of school, both Carver and Valentine Elementary Schools will be on a minimum day schedule, so students will be out at 12:30 p.m., the release states.

Authorities plan to be "extra vigilant about motorists who fail to stop for pedestrians, especially students."  

The effort is part of the city's Safe Routes to School initiative, which is funded by a grant from the federal government to encourage SMUSD students to walk or bicycle to and from school instead of being driven. The plan is to educate and encourage students and drivers to use safe practices while commuting, especially on Huntington Drive.