Volusia County Sheriff's Office releases back to school safety tips
By
Emily Blackwood
| 3:28 p.m. August 14, 2014
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The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office released safety reminder Aug. 13 for kids going back to school.
As parents and kids get ready for the next school year, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind residents on the simple ways they can keep kids safe.
“This can be a very hectic time,” Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson said in a press release. “Our message is very clear, stay alert, avoid distractions and put safety first. We want to remind everyone to put safety first as they return to their back-to-school routines.”
For parents and drivers:
If you drive your children to school, be sure to use the appropriate parent drop-off/pick-up area. Once at the school, please follow the instructions of the school’s staff.
If you must allow your child to exit your vehicle prior to arriving at school, have them exit towards the closest sidewalk or on the side facing the school. This will decrease the likelihood of your child not being seen by other motorists.
Drive defensively. Always anticipate the possibility that a small child may dart in front of your vehicle. Be prepared to stop at all times.
During the first couple of weeks, expect traffic patterns around and near schools to be very congested. Leave a few minutes early and plan for extra drive time to get to your destination.
Slow down and watch out for school zones and children walking or biking to school or congregating near bus stops. Also, be alert for student drivers.
Obey all posted speed limits.
Be especially careful in areas with parked vehicles on the side of the road. Children crossing between vehicles may be difficult for you to see.
Remember that buses will be making frequent stops. It’s not only dangerous to students, but it’s against the law to pass a school bus while it’s stopped on the roadway picking up or dropping off students. And this applies to traffic going in both directions -- unless the road is divided by a raised barrier or an unpaved median at least five feet wide.
When turning at an intersection, be sure to yield to pedestrians and cyclists.
If your child is walking to school or a bus stop, plan a safe route and make sure your child knows the route and can navigate it safely. Choose the most direct route with the fewest street crossings. If a school crossing guard is available, be sure that your child crosses at that location. If your child is young or is walking to a new school, walk the route with them beforehand and continue to walk with them for the first week until they’re comfortable with the route.
For students who ride the bus:
Stay out of the street while waiting for the bus.
Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop and the doors open before approaching the bus from the curb.
Make sure you remain in clear view of the bus driver. Never walk behind the bus.
Look both ways before crossing the street to get on the bus.
After getting off the bus, look both ways and then move immediately onto the sidewalk and out of traffic.
For walkers and bike riders:
For bike riders, wear a properly-fitted helmet at all times. Research shows that this simple act can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85 percent. Also, riders should use a bike that’s the right size for them and make sure that they don’t have any loose clothing, drawstrings or shoelaces.
Bike riders should ride on the right, in the same direction as traffic, and use appropriate hand signals. Bicyclists also should respect traffic lights and stop signs.
Walk or bike with a friend. It’s safer that way.
Walk on sidewalks where available.
Always cross at intersections.
Both bikers and walkers should wear bright clothing to make them more visible to drivers.
To avoid distractions, bikers and walkers shouldn’t use a cell phone or headphones. Absolutely no texting.
