Eyes up, speed down while driving near schools

Published August 25 2026

Do you know what the school bus stop paddle laws are?

It's back to school time in Bellevue, with students returning to classrooms this week and next. To help keep kids safe, make sure you know the rules of the road when driving near school zones.

Students have a range of transportation options to get to class too.

Schools in the Bellevue School District start Wednesday, Sept. 2; Issaquah School District starts Thursday, Aug. 27; Renton School District starts Wednesday, Aug. 26; and Lake Washington School District starts Monday, Aug 31. Students living in Bellevue attend schools in all four districts.

Please keep the following in mind when you're out on the road:

Follow the speed limit, including the 20-mph limit in school zones. The city has school zone photo enforcement cameras around several elementary schools, and police regularly patrol near schools.

Stop for school buses when their lights are flashing or the stop paddle is out (school bus stopping diagram). Many Bellevue school buses have stop-paddle cameras. Drivers who illegally pass a bus may be issued a fine of up to $500.

Watch for students walking, biking and rolling around schools. Keep in mind that young students are inexperienced around roadways, making them unpredictable. Avoid distractions and stay alert for small children, especially during arrival and dismissal times.

Follow parking laws when picking up and dropping off children. Parking within 30 feet of a stop sign, within 20 feet of an intersection or within 5 feet of a driveway is not allowed. Do not stop in the street to pick up/drop off, as it adds to congestion and is unsafe. Our guide on parking laws offers more details.

To reduce traffic, students - and their adults - are encouraged to consider walking, biking, carpooling or taking the bus to school. The Bellevue SchoolPool program, a collaboration between the City of Bellevue, King County Metro and Bellevue School District, encourages and provides resources for carpooling, biking, walking and taking a bus. If your child is in the Bellevue School District, riding a school bus is easier than ever! Check out the fall 2026 bus routes. To know when your bus will arrive, enroll in the district's new tracking program, Stopfinder.

If you are not traveling to school, please avoid areas near schools during arrival and dismissal times.

For more information about traffic safety near schools, visit School Traffic Safety. Together, we can keep our community safe!