Police: STOP or Slow down for flashing lights as kids go back to school

Police across the Tri-Cities will be out enforcing speed limits in school zones starting Tuesday.

Richland Captain Mike Cobb says year-round typically at least 15-20 drivers go over the speed limit when the flashing lights come on.

"During the summer months, everybody gets into their routine patterns and forget those flashing lights indicate a 20 mph school zone," says Cobb.

He says it typically takes the first two weeks to bring the number of speeding drivers down. Cobb also reminds drivers to be aware of school buses out on the roads and to stop with the lights come on.

Also, it is more important now than ever to not drive distracted behind the wheel. Not only is it dangerous, but kids could be more likely to dart out into the road during school drop-off and pick-up times.

Tuesday is the first day of school for many kids including those in the Tri-Cities, Prosser, Kiona-Benton and Ephrata. Moses Lake starts on the 31st.