Draper drivers will see more police officers stationed near schools starting Monday, Aug. 17, as thousands of students head back to class across two districts.
Canyons School District students return Aug. 17, followed by Alpine School District students on the Utah County side of Draper on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The staggered start means school zone traffic will ramp up over several days, and Draper Police say they plan to be visible.
"You're going to see our police officers out there, by the schools. We hope we can educate instead of taking enforcement," Draper City Police Lt. Mike Elkins told Fox 13 on Aug. 9, discussing the department's back-to-school safety plans.
The increased presence comes as cities across Utah issue reminders about crosswalk rules that trip up even experienced drivers, according to KUTV.
Two crosswalks, two rules
Not all crosswalks work the same way, and the distinction matters in school zones.
Parallel crosswalks are marked by two parallel white lines. Drivers may proceed once a pedestrian has cleared their half of the road.
Ladder crosswalks, the zebra-striped markings typically found near schools, carry a stricter standard. Drivers must stop and wait until the entire crosswalk is clear before moving, regardless of which direction the pedestrian is walking.
Under Utah Code § 41-6a-1002, any driver approaching a school crosswalk must come to a complete stop if anyone is in it. The law also prohibits passing another vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross.
Sandy City posted on social media Thursday, Aug. 13, that drivers who see the yellow pedestrian sign and ladder bars painted on the road must stop for anyone in the crosswalk, no matter which half of the road they occupy.
E-bikes add to the concern
Elkins said the department had responded to two serious accidents involving e-motorcycles in the 30 days before his Aug. 9 interview, reflecting what he called an uptick in such incidents. With students riding e-bikes to school, officers plan to focus on educating young riders and parents about the rules of the road.
Draper's city website has posted information about recent e-motorcycle law changes, noting a rise in accidents and property damage involving the vehicles.
What drivers should know
Morning and afternoon school hours carry the highest risk. Officers will be watching for:
- Drivers who fail to stop at occupied school crosswalks
- Vehicles passing cars already stopped for pedestrians
- Speeding in school zones
As we reported July 29, Draper families are split between two districts with different calendars, meaning school zone enforcement will be active across the city by Aug. 19.
Residents who want to talk with officers in person can attend Draper Police's Coffee with a Cop event at Harmons (672 E. 11400 S.) on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon. The department's non-emergency line is (801) 840-4000.
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