Drivers across Mobile County should brace for slower commutes starting Monday as more than 50 schools in the Mobile County Public School System — the largest school system in Alabama — reopen for the 2026-27 school year.
Mobile Police Department resource officer supervisor Amanda Lutman, who oversees staffing of school resource officers and crossing guards, said the first day back is typically the toughest on local roads.
“On that first day of school, traffic will be backed up over pretty much the whole city of Mobile,” Lutman said.
Crossing Guards on the Front Lines
Crossing guards will be stationed at schools throughout the county to direct traffic, help children safely cross streets and make sure students get where they’re going without incident, Lutman said.
“We’re in charge of your little ones, and we just want them to get to and from school as safely as possible,” she said.
Lutman urged drivers to slow down and stay off their phones as school zones become active again. “Watch your speed, please. Put your phones down. Be aware and watch for the school zones,” she said. Flashing lights will alert drivers to upcoming school zones and reduced speed limits.
Most school zones in the county will be active from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and 2:15 to 3:30 p.m., Lutman said, and she encouraged commuters to plan accordingly. “You’re going to think five minutes is enough. Leave 10 to 15 minutes early,” she said.
Tips for Parents and Students
Lutman also had guidance for families dropping children off or walking to class. Children should always cross at the designated crosswalk and follow the crossing guard’s instructions rather than darting across the street. “Make sure your children know to walk across the school crosswalk, listen to the crossing guard. We never want students to run across the road,” she said. “Let’s have our heads on a swivel.”
Parents dropping off children by car should pull past the crosswalk rather than releasing kids into the roadway. “Please don’t let your children out in the median,” Lutman said.
She recommended that families use each school’s designated carpool line when possible, noting that schools typically have several staff members assisting with drop-off compared with a single crossing guard managing the street. “We ask parents to utilize the carpool as best as they can. There are multiple teachers inside each school’s property to help with that while there is only one of us in the street to cross students,” Lutman said.