Slow Down, School's in Session

School is back in session! From getting school supplies to meeting new teachers, there’s plenty to be preoccupied with as you get back to your school routines. But one of the most important parts of your routine is figuring out school drop-off and pick-up, especially for our youngest students. 

Whether parents decide that their kiddos will be riding buses, walking to school, or braving the long car lines this year, we all agree that safe transportation to and from school is a priority. This year, Watch For Me has compiled easy reminders for both children and parents to keep students safe this school year.

Pedestrians

• Use designated crosswalks whenever possible. This increases your visibility for oncoming traffic and helps them anticipate your movements. If there isn’t a nearby crosswalk, take extreme caution and only cross when there is enough time and when there is sufficient visibility.  

• Take the sidewalks whenever possible. If there are no sidewalks, walk on the side of the road facing traffic. This will help you stay more aware of what the oncoming traffic is doing. 

• Never play, push, or shove others as you walk alongside the road. This is especially important to teach kiddos as they walk to bus stops or school in groups to ensure they get to school safe and sound with their friends.

Bicyclists

• Know when to walk your bike. Unexpectedly riding your bike across the street can be dangerous for drivers and pedestrians, so always take the time to dismount and walk your bike through crosswalks.  

• Always wear a correctly fitted helmet with the chin strap fastened. Especially as kids get to the age where it seems ‘cooler’ to not wear safety gear, it is still important to wear a secure helmet to protect their brains so they can fill it with knowledge during school hours. Watch For Me offers free helmets to the community while supplies last, so find us at a local event near you or reach out to secure some for you and your kids. 

• Ride in the same direction as traffic. Bicyclists have to follow the same rules of the road as drivers. This means following the same signs and stopping at the same places. 

Carline/Drivers

• Obey school zone speed limits. These decreased speed limits exist to protect children walking or playing near the school. Slowing down helps increase reaction time and reduce the likelihood of accidents. 

• School buses make frequent stops, so whenever you see the flashing red lights and extended stop sign, give ample space between your car and the stopped bus letting children on or off. This applies no matter the lane you are in—whether you are behind the bus or approaching the bus from the opposite direction. 

• Share the road. Keep a safe distance between your car and bicyclists on the road (that means a minimum of three feet) and yield to pedestrians crossing the street. 

• Avoid distractions. Distracted driving is one of the top causes of traffic accidents, so stay off your phone and stay constantly aware of the road around you. 

• Don’t park or stop on designated crosswalks. This forces pedestrians to maneuver around your car into oncoming traffic, where other drivers might not be expecting to see people crossing the street. 

And lastly, this tip applies to everyone on the road: expect the unexpected. Children are unpredictable and may run out into the street without warning, so it’s up to everyone on the road to stay aware and do everything in their power to prevent traffic accidents. 

This school year, add traffic safety to the curriculum and join Watch For Me in working to keep the streets in central Oklahoma safe for kiddos heading to class. 

For more information about how you can prepare for back-to-school traffic safety, visit our School Zones page.