Fort Wayne, IN – Drivers across Fort Wayne are being reminded to slow down and follow school crossing guard instructions as students return to class and school zones become active throughout the city.
According to the Fort Wayne Police Department, officers are urging motorists to obey all crossing guard signals and use extreme caution when traveling through school zones, where children may enter the roadway unexpectedly during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal times.
Police emphasized that Indiana law requires drivers to follow the directions of school crossing guards, treating a guard’s stop signal the same way they would a stop sign. Drivers must stop before the solid white line behind the crosswalk, not inside it, and remain stopped until the guard has safely returned to the curb.
The department also reminded drivers not to pass vehicles that are stopped at a crosswalk, as children and families may be crossing in front of them. Turning right through a crosswalk is prohibited while a crossing guard is present, police said.
Officials are asking motorists to slow down, stay alert, and show patience in school zones, especially during peak school travel times. Even a brief distraction or failure to stop can lead to serious injuries, police warned.
The reminder applies across Fort Wayne, Allen County, and surrounding Northeast Indiana communities, where school is back in session and pedestrian traffic has increased near elementary, middle, and high schools.
Police say these safety measures are designed not only to protect children, but also crossing guards who work daily to keep students safe.
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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