It's that time of year when millions of children will soon be going back to school. It's also an important time for drivers everywhere to use extra caution. We recommend that you follow these back-to-school safety tips:
Watch for children darting out between cars and into intersections.
Obey the "school zone" speed limits. Use extra caution at school crosswalks, and obey crossing guards.
Watch for school buses loading and unloading students. Stop when you see the red lights flashing; it's the law.
Be sure your child knows his or her home phone number and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult, and how to use 9-1-1 for emergencies.
Plan a walking route to school or the bus stop. Choose the most direct way with the fewest street crossing and intersections with crossing guards. Test the route with your child. Tell him or her to stay away from parks, vacant lots, fields, and other places where there aren't many people around.
Teach children - whether walking, biking, or riding the bus to school - to obey all traffic signals, signs, traffic officers, and safety patrols. Remind them to wear appropriate safety equipment and be extra careful in bad weather.