Jefferson City's public and parochial schools all begin classes for the 2017-18 school year this week, meaning motorists need to be aware of increased traffic and changing traffic patterns.
We urge motorists not only to allow more time to get to work, but also to heed what is good advice any time: slow down, pay attention to your surroundings and avoid diversions such as talking/texting on your phone.
The Jefferson City Police Department is asking drivers particularly to be aware of school zones. Many drivers over the summer have become accustomed to driving through school zones at regular speeds. Now, they'll need to slow to 20 mph when the zones are in effect.
Additionally, drivers need to be prepared to stop for school buses that will be loading and unloading children in neighborhoods.
Police plan to have a bigger presence around school zones and plan to "assertively enforce school zone speed limits, child restraint violations, school bus stop sign violations and other hazardous moving violations," according to a JCPD press release.
Additionally through funding provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation's Highway Safety and Traffic Division, and the Missouri Safety Center, extra officers will be on duty enforcing hazardous moving violations within City school zones and along school bus routes.
Another potential pitfall for motorists this week will be work zones. The biggest two are also in school zones: the new roundabout at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Stadium Boulevard and - just three blocks away - the new Helias athletic complex at the intersection of Swifts Highway and Myrtle Avenue.
Both projects are finishing up, but motorists should be on the lookout for changed traffic patterns resulting from workers finishing the projects. On Myrtle, construction is expected to be completed Thursday or Friday. On the roundabout, all lanes are open to traffic, but Jefferson City officials said temporary lane closures can be expected as the final touches are put on the project.