Safety is a priority as school year begins
As students prepare to head back to school, motorists and parents should keep in mind some basic safety tips to help ensure a great start to the new year for everyone.
On Aug. 1, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles launched its Child Safety Awareness Month. The inaugural campaign’s theme is “Every Child is a Human Caution Sign.”
“Children are living caution signs, whether riding in cars, playing in the park or waiting for the school bus,” Lt. Col. Troy Thompson, deputy director of the Florida Highway Patrol, said via a statement.
“Very soon, kids will be using all modes of transportation to get to school,” he continued. “It’s the perfect time to remind everyone of the ‘Rules of the Road’ regarding pedestrian, bicycle, school bus and seatbelt safety.”
Parents, caregivers and guardians are asked to talk to children about back-to-school safety.
According to officials, there were 2,306 crashes in Florida in 2014 involving child pedestrians and child bicyclists. Of those crashes, 48 resulted in fatalities. Bicycle and pedestrian safety is a concern.
The DHSMV recommends that bicyclists ride in the same direction as traffic and obey all traffic signals, signs and lane markings. Pedestrians should always use the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the side of the road facing traffic and take the time to use crosswalks.
Wearing bright or reflective colors on clothes and shoes can help make the wearer more visible.
When driving students to school, seatbelt and child restraint safety becomes a concern.
In 2014, there were more than 25,000 citations issued in Florida for child restraint and seatbelt violations for children 17 years of age and younger, according to the DHSMV.
State law requires that children 5 years old and younger must use a federally-approved car seat. Passengers up to 3 years old must use a separate carrier or a vehicle manufacturer’s integrated child seat, and ages 4-5 years require a separate carrier, an integrated child seat or a child booster seat.
Children ages 6-17 years old must use a seatbelt while riding in a motor vehicle.
“Buckle up,” officials reported. “A seatbelt is your vehicle’s most important safety feature but only works if you use it.”
Along with students and parents, motorists should focus on safety as schools resume.
There were more than 3,000 drivers cited in Florida in 2014 for passing a stopped school bus that was unloading children, according to officials. The motto is “Remember, Stop on Red, kids ahead!”
Motorists are required to stop when they approach a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing and STOP arms extended. The only time oncoming traffic does not stop is if there is a raised barrier, like a concrete divider, or at least five feet of unpaved space separating the traffic lanes.
Drivers should also be alert and pay attention when backing up – another concern.
The DHSMV recommended that motorists walk around a vehicle to check for children playing, know the vehicle’s blind spots and look before reversing. Then, take a second look and back out slowly.
Youths should be taught to never play in, on, under or around vehicles.
“Whether playing in the yard, riding in the backseat of a vehicle or waiting at a school bus stop, a child is a human caution sign,” FHP Capt. Nancy Rasmussen, chief of public affairs, said via a statement.
“They are living reminders that we need to slow down, pay attention and abide by traffic laws for their safety, as well as our own,” she continued.
For more information on back-to-school safety, visit online at: www.flhsmv.gov.