Palo Alto Police Relaunch Juvenile Traffic Diversion Program

Published on September 08, 2025

Palo Alto Police and Stanford Health Team-up to Relaunch Juvenile Traffic Diversion Program

Beginning October 1^st, 2025, the Palo Alto Police Department is partnering with Stanford Health Care Trauma and Injury Prevention Program to relaunch the Juvenile Traffic Diversion Program. Originally established in 2009, it is a community-based program designed to deliver youth traffic safety education to juveniles who are cited for bicycle, pedestrian, and other non-motorized vehicle violations. The program provides youth the opportunity to learn about the importance of wearing a helmet and following the rules of the road without going to a traditional traffic court system. The program is similar to adult traffic school in that youth under 18 who are cited by a police officer are given an option to attend a two-hour traffic safety educational class with their parent/guardian in lieu of paying the fines and fees associated with the violation. Recent increases in youth cycling has revigorated this program after it was temporarily paused during the pandemic in 2020. Stanford Health Care and the City of Palo Alto Police Department have evaluated and revamped the classroom curriculum to incorporate recent concerns on e-bike safety.

Key program highlights:

• Established in 2009, the program has provided over 3,500 youth and adults with traffic safety education, and reached over 1,700 students.
• Designed for youth under 18 who are cited for a traffic violation
• Offers an option for students and their parents to learn more about how to stay safe on the road in lieu of paying fines and going to a traditional traffic court system
• Aims to reduce recidivism among youth and improve traffic safety awareness

For more information, visit Stanford Health Care Community Outreach Programs or call 650-724-9369.