Students aren’t the only ones who need to be ready on Aug. 13 for the return to classes. Motorists need to prepare as well.
With the start of school comes the reduced speed zones throughout Miami Lakes, more traffic, and parents along with students walking to and from school.
Sgt. George Soto with Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office Miami Lakes District urges drivers to have extra patience for the first three days of school.
“As always, be prepared for the shift from the pleasant traffic we’re experiencing now to the dramatic increase overnight,” Soto said.
Soto advises that drivers should either leave earlier for their destination or, if their schedule allows, leave later than they have been to avoid the traffic.
“Typically, if you don’t have to leave your house until 9 a.m., wait until 9 a.m.,” he said. “By 9 a.m., everything should be settled.”
Drivers should be mindful of the school zones, which require them to slow down to 15 mph, and watch for the flashing lights that can be overhead or on the side of the road.
The school zones will be active at different times in the morning and afternoon depending on grade levels, with elementary and high school students having the earliest times.
Meanwhile parents should get up to speed on pick-up and drop-off procedures.
“Go on the websites, any emails they received regarding where to go … please read that ahead of time,” Soto said.
He also asked drivers to have patience with parents who may not know where drop-off and pick-up areas are; each school has different entrance and exit loops.
He also encourages parents to have kids ready to exit the car when they get to the drop-off loop to minimize back-ups.
“Have the backpack ready,” Soto said.
Motorists also need to be aware of the school crossing guards posted around school zones and pay attention to their directions when they are in the crosswalks.
Guards are posted at elementary schools and will use a whistle to signal their entrance into the crosswalk. When the stop sign is displayed motorists need to stop until the crosswalk is completely clear.
While fewer kids ride their bikes or walk, Soto does want those kids who do to remember to stop, look both ways, make eye contact with the driver and walk their bike across the street before crossing.
On August 13, drivers will also see the return of a deputy stationed in the turn lane at Northwest 154th Street and Northwest 77th Court.
Soto said the purpose of that is to educate drivers who are trying to access the business park on the west side of town.
“Not only can you turn here, but two more lights [down] at [Northwest] 79th Court, that’ll take you back there as well,” Soto said.
The left turn detail was added to help with the increase of traffic in the area causing traffic jams for drivers accessing Miami Lakes from the Palmetto Expressway.
Miami-Dade County Public School buses are also equipped with cameras to prevent drivers from passing stopped buses.
Stopped buses will have lights flashing, stop sign deployed and the front arm extended. If a driver fails to stop for that, they will be ticketed via their license plate.
Drivers who fail to stop can expect to pay $225 if paid within 60 days of the violation being issued, according to Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. Drivers who contest the ticket may also have to pay $90 in court costs along with the ticket. If it becomes a “unformed traffic citation” meaning the ticket is issued by a deputy, it goes up to $225 with $119 in court costs, according to the sheriff’s office.
School zones will be active in the following parts of town:
Miami Lakes K-8 Center
• On northbound Northwest 67th Avenue, the speed zone starts at White Oak drive and ends a half block before Harris Terrace. Southbound drivers must adhere to the reduced speed limit until Crooked Palm Terrace.
• On Miami Lakeway East, the speed zone is from Silver Oak Drive to Northwest 67th Avenue.
• All of White Oak Drive from Miami Lakeway South to Northwest 67th Avenue.
• Westbound drivers on East Miami Lakeway meet the school zone at Lake Saranac Avenue.
• The bus loop at the school is only open to buses and police cars.
Miami Lakes Middle School and Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic School
• Northbound drivers on Northwest 67th Avenue must slow down a half block from Miami Lakeway North until Kilmarnock Drive/Optimist Park.
• Southbound drivers on Northwest 67th Avenue must adhere to the posted speeds at Kilmarnock Drive until a half block south of Miami Lakeway North, when traffic passes Our Lady of the Lakes Parish.
• Westbound drivers on Miami Lakeway north will slow down near Celebration Point before approaching Miami Lakes Middle School and stay slow until they cross Northwest 67th Avenue.
• Northwest 64th Avenue is a school zone from the south parking lot of Miami Lakes Optimist Park, and speed controls continue on Miami Lakeway North until it passes the schools and crosses Northwest 67th Avenue.
Bob Graham Education Center
• Traffic going in both directions on Northwest 79 Avenue, north of Northwest 154th Street.
• Residents in the Royal Oaks neighborhood should use the Northwest 82nd Avenue entrance and exit to avoid the traffic congestion, if possible.
Barbara Goleman Senior High School
• Palmetto Frontage Road, west of Northwest 87th Avenue, is posted 15 mph just before the roundabout near campus.
• Northwest 89th Avenue has posted school zone signs, from the roundabout near campus north to Northwest 145th Street.