Fort Wayne, IN – Drivers across Fort Wayne are being reminded to slow down and strictly follow school crossing guard instructions as students continue returning to classrooms this week.
According to the Fort Wayne Police Department, officers are seeing repeated safety concerns in school zones, particularly involving drivers who fail to stop or proceed too early at crosswalks while children are present.
Police emphasized that Indiana law requires motorists to obey school crossing guards the same way they would a stop sign. When a guard is holding up a stop sign, drivers must come to a complete stop and remain stopped until the guard has returned to the curb.
Officials also reminded drivers not to stop inside the crosswalk, but instead to stop at the solid white line behind it. Passing a vehicle that has stopped for a crosswalk is also prohibited and can result in citations or more serious penalties if a child is endangered.
Other key reminders from police include:
- Slow down and stay alert in all school zones
- Yield to children and families in crosswalks
- Do not make right turns through a crosswalk when a crossing guard is present
- Be patient during school arrival and dismissal times
The reminder applies to school zones throughout Fort Wayne, Allen County, and surrounding northeast Indiana communities, especially during morning and afternoon pickup hours when traffic congestion is highest.
Police say these rules are in place to prevent serious injuries and protect crossing guards, who are often stationed in high-traffic areas to help students cross safely.
Residents are encouraged to plan extra travel time near schools and report unsafe driving behaviors in school zones.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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