Back to School Pedestrian Tune-Up

No matter how your children get to school; everyone is a pedestrian. Many parents don’t think about pedestrian safety unless their kids walk or bike to school. Thankfully, school buses are a very safe form of transportation. The reason we all need a pedestrian tune-up is because kids are most likely to be injured or killed getting to and from the school bus or family car. Each new school year most students and parents start with promises to be more organized and involved. Let’s make sure we include lifesaving traffic safety education.

Please review the following:

Motorists:

• Yellow lights mean slow down & prepare to stop.
• Red lights & stop arm means stop 20 feet or more behind the bus.
• Never pass a stopped school bus with flashing lights.
• Wait for the bus to move forward- the bus is blocking your view of pedestrians.

School Bus Riders

1. Always walk facing traffic on the way to and from the bus stop.
2. Never run to catch the bus.
3. Wait out of traffic until the bus is completely stopped and the driver signals to approach.
4. When exiting the school bus, always walk forward, not toward the rear of the bus.
5. When crossing, students need to make eye contact with the driver and wait for their signal to cross. If you can’t see the bus driver’s face, the bus driver can’t see you.

Those Who Bike or Walk to School

1. Walk the route to school with your kids to identify hazards and review safety tips.
2. Walk facing traffic.
3. Bike with traffic.
4. Only cross the street at crosswalks and intersections.  Stop, Look, and Listen before you cross any street.
5. Follow the instructions of school crossing guards.
6. Bright colored clothing and reflective material on backpacks and bikes are a must.

Those Who Are Transported by Car

1. Never walk or stand directly in front or behind any vehicle including the family car.
2. Everyone buckles-up no matter how short the distance.
3. Children under age 13 and less than 5 ft. tall are safer in the back seat.
4. All children under 8 years old require a booster seat.
5. Use only the designated school drop off location.
6. Never allow passengers to exit the vehicle before checking for traffic and confirming school monitors are present.

Parents of High School Students

1. Do you have a family policy regarding giving or accepting rides?
2. Students are about 50 times more likely to arrive at school alive if they take the bus than if they drive themselves or ride with friends.¹
3. Graduated licensing laws limit the number of passengers allowed with new drivers.
4. The driver can be ticketed for any passenger under 16 years old who is not buckled up.
5. New drivers need to be reminded that driving and parking at school are privileges that must be earned and can be taken away.
6. Distracted driving kills. Safe driving starts with you!

Michael Sweeney is a Traffic Safety Educator at AAA Hudson Valley.

¹Source: NHTSA.gov

Photo Credit: NHTSA