August is Back to School Month

Back-to-School month is a traffic safety campaign that occurs throughout the year. It aims to ensure the safety of children as they travel to and from school. Motorists must obey school-zone speed limits, remain attentive around child pedestrians and bicyclists, and properly stop for school buses.

It’s important to remember – and share with your children – some key tips that will help keep them safe.

Walkers

• Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available. If walking on the street with no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic.
• Before you cross the street, stop and look left, right, and left again to see if vehicles are coming.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing, and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections.
• Stay alert and avoid distracted walking (i.e. headphones, ear buds, talking on a cell phone).

 Bike Riders

• Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, and in a single file
• Come to a complete stop before crossing the street; walk bikes across the street
• Stay alert and avoid distracted riding
• Make sure your child always wears a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing

Driving Your Child to School

• Obey school zone speed limits and follow your school’s drop-off procedure
• Make eye contact with children who are crossing the street
• Never pass a bus loading or unloading children
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus.