JOINT PRESS
RELEASE FROM THE
ALLEGANY
COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
AND THE
ALLEGANY COUNTY TRAFFIC SAFETY BOARD
Fall is approaching, and with it comes
shorter days and the start of the school year. Road travel increases and
traffic patterns shift, so this busy time of year can also be a dangerous one –
especially for our children.
Fewer daylight hours can make it harder
for motorists to see young students. According
to data from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration there are more
school-age pedestrians killed between the hours of 7 and 8 a.m. and between 3
and 4 p.m. than any other hours of the day.
The Allegany County
Sheriff’s Office and the Allegany County Traffic Safety Board are reminding
parents, students and drivers of safe transportation practices to ensure that
kids arrive to and from school safely.
Children should:
·
Stand five giant steps from the road
until the school bus arrives and wait until the driver gives the signal to
board.
·
When boarding the school bus, quickly
find a seat, sit facing the front and follow the bus driver’s instructions.
·
When exiting the bus, look out for
cars. When off the bus, take 5 giant steps away from the school bus.
·
Look left-right-left to make sure no
cars are coming and wait for the driver to signal it's safe to cross.
Motorists should drive with extra caution
around children going to/from school:
·
Obey
signs, signals, and crossing guards in school zones.
·
Drivers
should remember that it is unlawful to pass a school bus when its red lights are
flashing. If you are unsure if you should pass a stopped school bus, play it
safe and do not pass until the flashing lights are turned off or you are
signaled to do so by the driver or a police officer.
·
Slow
down especially with children walking/biking to school and around bus stops and
in school zones and in low light or bad weather.
·
Drive
focused and alert at all times. Avoid use of all electronic devices and refrain
from other distracting behaviors while driving.
Let’s all work together to keep our Allegany
County students safe throughout this school year.
