October 12 is National Walk and Roll to School Day. The Police Department encourages parents and students to join forces toward traffic safety around our schools.
“This is a great opportunity to remind all those traveling around our schools about safety,” said Acting Traffic Sergeant George Zavala. “The safety of our children, combined with roadway safety is always our highest priority.”
Sergeant Zavala went on to say that the department encourages parents to work with their teen drivers to review safe driving habits around our schools and then model the behaviors themselves. These behaviors include:
- Slow in the school zone.
- Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.
- Pay attention to crosswalks and always follow crossing guard instructions.
- Remove distractions. Anything that takes your attention away from driving is a distraction.
- Stop completely at signs and signals and only proceed when it is safe to do so
- Don’t drive in bike lanes.
- Never drive impaired.
If you have a child that regularly walks or rides a bike to school, share these tips with them.
- Work with your children to plan a route on roads with sidewalks and bike paths. The shortest route is not always the safest route. Check to see if a little modification can increase safety.
- Always use crosswalks and traffic signals. Always follow crossing guard instructions.
- If you are biking to school, always completely stop for stop signs and traffic signals and only go when it is clear and safe to do so.
- Always look left-right-left before crossing the street. Continue to scan for traffic as you cross the street.
- Catch the eye of drivers at stop signs and signals to ensure they see you.
- Remove distractions.
- Always wear a helmet that is securely fastened when riding or rolling.
Drivers should always be aware and anticipate foot and bike traffic around our schools.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Police media contact
Jodee Reyes, Public Information Officer, jodee.reyes@carlsbadca.gov
