The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office increased patrols in school zones on Thursday to help protect pedestrians.

KRON4 went to several schools in the county to see what deputies found while patrolling during drop-off time this morning.

The San Mateo Sheriff’s Office increased patrols around schools like Garfield Community School to make sure drivers are following basic traffic laws and ensure that when kids go to press the crosswalk button, they are safe crossing the crosswalk.

“Increasing pedestrian safety and reducing the amount of collisions we have in this particular area,” Deputy Jason Craig said.

From West Menlo Park to the unincorporated areas of San Mateo County, sheriff’s deputies on motorcycles stood by in school zones only to come across dozens of people breaking traffic laws, putting pedestrians in danger.

“Speeding vehicles, pedestrians stepping off the curbs, not making sure the cars are coming,” Craig said. “Unfortunately, there is a lot that happens during these commute hours.”

Deputies always look for drivers who are speeding, failing to stop for a stopped school bus, driving in the bike lane, and for drivers who do not stop for people in crosswalks.

But pedestrians aren’t off the hook.

“I think pedestrians get wrapped up in their electronic devices and have a tendency to look down and are not paying attention and assume that all the cars will yield to them, but there are things they should do to protect themselves which is stay off that electronic device while crossing,” Craig said.

The sheriff’s office is hoping increased patrols will remind drivers to be extra cautious, especially while driving in school zones.

“The goal of SMCO is to make sure people get to where they are going safely and get home at night safe to their families,” Craig said.

This is the first operation of the school year, but sheriff’s officials could do more throughout the year.

WHAT OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON: 

>>MORE STORIES