Pictures taken by Westchester parent Jennifer Belew of students walking to the school from Garden Lane.

Classes will resume in City Schools of Decatur, Atlanta Public Schools and DeKalb County Schools next month. That means longer commutes and a greater risk of accidents involving pedestrians.

City Schools of Decatur will begin the school year on Monday, Aug. 1. The Decatur Police Department is reminding commuters to allow extra time to get to work.

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“There will be more traffic to include vehicles, buses and big and little pedestrians and cyclists on main roads and neighborhood streets,” Decatur Police Lt. Jennifer Ross said in a press release. “Please plan on allowing more time for your commute and PLEASE slow down and pay extra attention as excited students head back to class. We will have additional officers on duty in and around the school zones to remind everyone school is back in session.”

There will be reduced speeds for school zones marked by flashing lights and/or signage with posted times for the school zone.

“Flashing lights are not required or posted for every school zone,” Ross said. “You must also obey the times indicated by signage posted for school zones.”

The city is also reminding residents to clean up the sidewalks in front of their homes to avoid creating potential safety hazards for pedestrians.

“Make sure to prune all plants to behind the edge of the sidewalk and make sure there is at least seven feet of clearance above so people don’t need to doge low branches,” a press release from the city says.

The traffic congestion will only increase after Monday. Atlanta Public Schools will resume classes on Aug. 3 and DeKalb County Schools will resume classes on Aug. 8.

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