St Joseph police patrolled some of St Joseph’s “hot spots” Monday on the first day of classes, making sure motorists minded their P’s and Q’s while students began with their ABC’s.

Eagle Radio’s Sarah Mollus rode along with traffic officer Keith Dudley in school zones this morning.

“The main thing is we care about the safety of our children,” said traffic officer Keith Dudley.

“I have children myself, so I take it very seriously. I don’t give warnings in school zones. If I stop you in a school zone for speeding, or for any other violation, you’re getting a ticket.”

Officer Dudley pulled over seven motorists, and issued nine citations during the one hour Mollus rode along with him. They patrolled areas near Lindbergh and Pershing schools.

Dudley says says the number of traffic violations in school zones remains fairly consistent from year to year.

The biggest problems areas, he said, are along St Joseph Avenue, along Beck Road near Coleman Elementary School, and along Pickett Road near Pickett Elementary School.

 

Traffic tickets can be an expensive proposition.  Click on the find and fee schedule at left to enlarge it.

Police officials offer that as another incentive to slow down and pay attention in school zones.

They urge you to keep an eye out for students walking to and from schools, as well as school buses stopping to pick up or drop off school children.