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November 9, 2026

Street Smarts & School Zones: What UDOT Safety Experts Want Every Murray Parent to Know

mother and daughter smile at each other near cross walk

Whether your child walks, bikes, or hitches a ride to school, school zones during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup are notoriously chaotic. With high volumes of traffic condensed into 20-minute windows, navigating school perimeter streets requires heightened awareness from drivers and young pedestrians alike.

During a recent district presentation, Shauna Burbridge—Statewide Behavior Safety Program Manager for the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT)—shared eye-opening data and practical advice on keeping students safe on their daily commute.

The Reality of Teen & Child Pedestrian Risks

National traffic safety data reveals sobering trends when it comes to youth pedestrians:

  • High-Risk Years: Nationally, teens aged 15 to 19 account for half of all youth pedestrian fatalities. Because older students travel with more autonomy and less direct adult supervision, distracted walking and unexpected street crossings pose significant risks.

  • Distraction Beyond Phones: While smartphone distraction is a major culprit for both drivers and walkers, UDOT safety observers frequently record drivers attempting complex tasks behind the wheel near schools—from eating meals to adjusting clothes—taking eyes off the road during critical moments.

  • The "Shortest Path" Habit: Over 80% of students engage in unsafe crossing behaviors, such as jaywalking 20 feet away from a marked crosswalk. Human nature leads pedestrians to take the shortest physical line, making it vital for parents to actively walk designated routes with their kids.

Rethinking the Drop-Off Line: Rules Apply to Everyone

Drop-off lines can test anyone's patience, but bypassing safety procedures creates immediate hazards for children. UDOT safety officials urge parents to keep three core drop-off principles in mind:

  1. Follow Campus Flow: Avoid pulling into unauthorized parking spots or stopping in active travel lanes to let kids hop out early. Children darting between parked cars or crossing drop-off lines are difficult for oncoming drivers to spot.

  2. Patience Over Shortcuts: Saving 30 seconds by dropping a child off across the street forces them to cross traffic outside of designated crossing guard locations.

  3. Model the Behavior: Kids mirror adult habits. Using marked crosswalks and keeping phones out of reach while driving sets the standard for young drivers and walkers.

"School zones handle hundreds of vehicles for 20 minutes in the morning, then become quiet the rest of the day. Navigating that sudden rush safely requires every driver to drop distractions and follow established routines." — UDOT Safe Routes Utah

Win a Scooter: The Safe Routes "Walk 'n' Roll" Challenge

Walking or biking to school isn't just great physical activity—it also reduces drop-off line congestion and lowers neighborhood traffic.

To encourage active travel, Safe Routes Utah hosts the monthly Walk 'n' Roll Challenge for students in grades K–8:

  • How it Works: Track how often your student walks or bikes to school each month (even just once or twice qualifies!) and log it online.

  • Prizes for Kids & Parents: Students enter monthly drawings to win free scooters and helmets. To thank parents for supporting safe active travel, participating parents are entered to win Amazon gift cards.

  • Learn More & Enter: Visit saferoutes to log your family's walks and explore safe route maps for your child's specific Murray school campus.