Pasadena children will soon be safer walking to school thanks to $364,000 in government grants.

The city’s Transportation Department recently secured $250,000 from the federal Safe Routes to School Program to beef up enforcement of traffic laws near Pasadena’s elementary schools with the goal of promoting safer, slower driving.

A $114,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will be used to create an educational campaign to promote pedestrian safety at signalized intersections.

The grants will complement the city’s existing pedestrian safety programs, including Suggested Routes to School and Safe Strides and Rides, which has featured bicycle rodeos, a pedestrian safety video and targeted enforcement aimed at aggressive drivers and motorists who run red lights.

For more information about pedestrian programs or transportation in Pasadena, call 744-8747.