HUERFANO-The Walsenburg Police Department would like to offer the following tips to make our school zones safer and improve traffic for back to school.
With school in session, there will be significantly more traffic. Pedestrians, bicyclists, buses and parents contribute to school zone congestion. Also, traffic safety issues are double parking, speeding, unsafe U-turns and jaywalking.
Children do not always follow the rules of the road. Oftentimes, they enter the street from between cars and skateboard or bicycle into traffic.
Motorists should have a heightened awareness in and around school zones and follow the 25 mph speed limits. Special attention must also be paid to buses displaying flashing red lights on roadways. Motorists are required, by Colorado law, to stop and wait until the flashing red lights are turned off before passing a bus.
Parents who allow their children to ride bicycles to school should require them to wear a helmet and remind them to travel with the flow of traffic. Be sure to consider the effect a bulky backpack may have on your child’s balance while they are riding a bike.
Follow these simple suggestions to help make school zones safer for everyone.
•Don’t speed.
•Don’t impede traffic by dropping children off in the middle of the street.
•Don’t block intersections when you park your vehicle.
•Don’t double park.
•Don’t make U-turns.
•Always make sure that your children are wearing seatbelts when transporting them.
One last thing, make sure that your child has adequate supervision if they arrive home before you do. The availability of a trusted adult can provide the necessary guidance to help ensure your child’s safety and give you peace of mind.
For more safety tips call the Walsenburg Police Department at 738-1056.
