Western Illinois Police Remind Drivers School Zones Are Back, Watch For Kids

You shouldn't have to remind people to drive smart, but alas here we are.

Summer is coming to a close, which means school zones are about to be in effect again. Which means that, even if you're running late to work, you're going to have to slow down.

A release from the Rock Island Police Department wants to remind people to watch out for kids as you're driving. Remember, kids are small and they don't have the same ability to judge traffic (like when to cross the road) that adults do.

Kids also may be wearing headphones and are easily distracted.

Here are some tips Rock Island police have for you this fall:

• Slow down near schools and in residential areas to give yourself more time to react
• Look out for signs like school zones, children at play signs, anything that would indicate there are kiddos nearby
• Drive with your headlights on, even during the day, so kids can see you.
• Look behind parked cars or places kids might be. If a ball rolls out into the street, it's likely there's a kid coming after it
• Stop for school buses, but if you don't, the school bus driver can still report you even if there's not an officer nearby

Rock Island police are going to be watching for ridiculous driving with school starting back. They will be set up with speed enforcement (speed limit is 20 mph in school zones when kids are there) and they will also be watching for you to be on your cellphone.