Driver Responsibility

Slow Down and Share the Road

Drivers and pedestrians must work together to demonstrate safe behaviors on the road and street. This helps protect everyone. Drivers should slow down and pay extra attention when children are present- especially while driving in school zones during arrival and dismissal times. Read tips on how to navigate pick-up and drop-off at your school and about sharing the road with young pedestrians.

Video courtesy of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  • Be mindful in school zones

    Be mindful of the speed limit and do not double park in school zones, as it can block visibility for other children and vehicles.

    yellow slow school zone sign

  • Stay off of technology

    Stay off your phones. Talking, texting, and scrolling distract you from paying attention to surroundings.

    person driving and holding smart phone

  • Flashing lights in school zones

    When flashers are blinking, you must stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersections.

    school zone speed limit sign with flashing lights

  • Share the road with bikes

    Watch for bike riders turning or riding near your vehicle.

    child with helmet riding bike on street

  • Don't block the crosswalk

    Do not block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn forcing pedestrians to go around you. This can put them in the path of moving traffic.

    crosswalk

  • Share the road with school buses

    It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must also stop.

Be Aware in School Zones

A school zone is an area near a school or crosswalk leading to a school that has a high presence of younger pedestrians. When school zones are active, they have a reduced speed limit and drivers should practice extra caution as children are more likely to cross roads around them. School zones help keep everyone safe around arrival and dismissal times. Follow these tips to increase safety in school zones:

yellow pedestrian sign

Obey posted school zone speed limits

Use good judgement when stopping or parking

car parked on road next to orange traffic cones

Listen to Crossing Guards

Do not make U-turns or back up

no u-turn sign

FAQs on Safe Driving in Thousand Oaks

What does the flashing yellow lights mean on school buses?

Flashing yellow lights indicate that the bus is preparing to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.

What do the flashing red lights mean on school buses?

Flashing red lights and extended stop arms indicate that the bus has stopped and children are getting off or on. Motorists MUST stop their cars and wait until the red light stops flashing, the extended stop arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.

What is a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) and does the City one?

The LRSP analyzes collision data, assess infrastructure, and identifies roadway safety solutions on a citywide basis. The City of Thousand Oaks has a Local Road Safety Plan that was updated in May 2021 and can be found here.

How can I report an incident that occurred on the road or sidewalk in a school zone?

For emergencies, always call 911. For non-emergency incidents, please call (805) 654-9511.