It’s back-to-school time for Renton School District students and that means lots of children and teens walking to and from school. Please drive carefully and watch for children crossing roads and waiting on school buses.

The start of school also means that the City of Renton will activate their photo enforcement program to help keep children safe as they get to and from school. Vehicles exceeding the speed limit through the school zones (listed below) will be photographed, and those images will be reviewed by Renton Police to determine if a citation is warranted. The cameras will operate when the school beacons (yellow-flashing lights) are flashing.

The difference between 20 mph and 26 mph is 26 feet of stopping distance, according to police. With children walking in the area, those 26 feet could mean the difference between life and death.

“Keeping school children safe while walking to their destination is our priority,” Renton Police Chief Kevin Milosevich said in a press release. “Please help us protect Renton’s pedestrians by adhering to posted speed limits.”

The cameras will be active starting Sept. 2 at the following locations:

• Benson Hill Elementary, 18665 – 116th Avenue SE, Renton

• Cascade Elementary, 16022 116th Ave SE, Renton

• Honey Dew Elementary, 800 Union Ave. NE, Renton

• McKnight Middle School, 1200 Edmonds Ave NE, Renton

• Talbot Hill Elementary, 2300 Talbot Road S, Renton

For more information on the City of Renton’s Photo Enforcement programs, visit www.rentonwa.gov.