With the start of the 2026-27 school year in New Orleans, the NOPD’s Traffic Division has resumed its enforcement of school zones to promote safe driving and ensure public safety.

This initiative, mandated by Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, was put in place with the mission to alert and educate drivers about school zones and to raise awareness of these designated areas put in place to keep schoolchildren, school staff and drivers safe.

To help bolster these enforcement operations, the NOPD recently held recertification for officers to use radar and LIDAR equipment, which has increased the number of officers certified to do so. This training aids in maintaining accurate use of these technologies.

On the morning of August 11, 2026, NOPD Traffic Division officers conducted radar/LIDAR school zone safety enforcement near Alice Harte Charter School on MacArthur Boulevard in the Fourth District. This enforcement also included enforcement of seat belt usage. During this two-hour traffic enforcement period, officers conducted 38 vehicle stops and issued 117 citations.

The NOPD reminds drivers to remain alert and aware not only in school zones, but on any roadway. Additionally, please note the following driving safety tips to keep in mind during the school year:

• During posted hours, the speed limit in a school zone is 20 miles per hour. Any driver found to be exceeding this speed limit will be stopped and ticketed.
• Do not drive distracted or impaired, especially in school zones. This includes use of cell phones or other devices, adjusting the vehicle radio or other actions that can take a driver’s attention away from the road.
• Be aware of crosswalks and bicycle lanes, as pedestrians walking within the boundaries of a crosswalk and cyclists riding within the boundaries of a bicycle lane have right of way. Additionally, be aware of pedestrians who may attempt to cross the street not within the crosswalk boundaries. Also, do not drive or park within marked bicycle-only lanes.
• Watch out for school buses on the roadways. Observe the lighted and posted signage on a school bus when it is activated. Do not attempt to pass a school bus that is stopped with lights activated and stop at a safe distance when school buses are picking up or dropping off students.
• Ensure that all occupants of a moving vehicle are properly and safely restrained through use of seat belts, car seats or booster seats.

The NOPD will continue to monitor school zones throughout the school year and to promote traffic safety not only in school zones, but citywide.

Have a question or correction? Please email NOPD’s Public Affairs Division at nopdpio@nola.gov.