As students across Dominica head back to classrooms for the 2026 fall academic term, the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) has launched a suite of targeted traffic safety interventions along River Street, urging all motorists to adjust their driving habits to accommodate increased foot and vehicle traffic around two nearby secondary schools. The new school term officially kicked off on Monday, September 7, 2026, with a temporary campus arrangement that has shifted daily student activity to the River Street corridor: Goodwill Secondary School students are currently being housed at a site adjacent to Dominica Grammar School, a change that police say will bring far higher volumes of both vehicles and pedestrians to the area, especially during the busy morning drop-off and afternoon dismissal windows. To mitigate the risks this increased activity poses for students, commuters and other road users, CDPF is rolling out multiple infrastructure and regulatory changes focused on the stretch of River Street that runs past both Dominica Grammar School and the new temporary entrance for Goodwill Secondary School. One of the key infrastructure upgrades is the installation of new speed humps in the high-traffic school zone, designed to naturally slow vehicle speeds through the area. Police are already reminding motorists to reduce their speed well in advance when approaching these new traffic calming features. To increase visibility of the school zone, new official “School Zone” and “Slow Down” warning signs will also be posted at multiple points along River Street, with police repeatedly urging drivers to stay attentive to road signage and follow all official traffic directions. A key safety improvement for students walking to and from campus is a freshly painted marked pedestrian crossing directly at the Goodwill Secondary School temporary entrance. Motorists have been instructed to exercise extreme caution when approaching this crossing and to yield right of way to students, pedestrians and any other road users using the designated crossing. To address the common problem of traffic congestion from drop-off and pick-up activity, CDPF has also introduced a new access rule: drivers who are transporting Goodwill Secondary students will be allowed to enter the campus via the designated gate to drop off and pick up children directly on site. This adjustment is specifically intended to cut down on the number of vehicles stopping and idling along the main River Street roadway, keeping traffic flowing smoothly and reducing the risk of collisions involving crossing students. Beyond the new infrastructure and rules, police have issued a broad public appeal for cooperation across all groups. CDPF is encouraging all motorists traveling through the River Street school zone to practice patience, keep speeds low, stay alert to surrounding activity, and comply with all posted traffic signs and official directions from law enforcement. The force is also asking for buy-in from not just drivers, but also parents, students and the entire local community, emphasizing that collective vigilance and cooperation are the most important factors in keeping everyone who uses River Street and the surrounding school areas safe throughout the academic term.