Traffic Safety Tips – Owasso Schools Start This Thursday!
Tuesday, Owasso
“Where did the summer go? Yes, it’s already time for the kiddos to head back to class in Owasso, so we wanted to share these safety reminders with everyone. OPD will have extra officers hitting the streets this week both before and after school focusing on traffic enforcement in school zones and residential neighborhoods with heavy pedestrian traffic.
Safety Tips #1 – Watch for school zones and slow down accordingly. Be aware that school zone speed limits may vary depending on the time of day. Not all school zones have flashing yellow lights to warn motorists of the reduced speed, so pay attention to the hours/speed limit posted on the signs.”
#2 – Slow down in residential areas. Many children walk to school or walk from their house to their designated neighborhood bus stop. Watch for children crossing the street, running out from between parked cars and congregated at bus stops in the mornings and afternoons. Parents – talk to your kids about looking both ways before crossing the street and remind them to always cross the street in a designated area.
#3 – Do not pass a school bus that is loading or unloading children. Traffic in both directions on an undivided roadway must stop when the red lights on the school bus are flashing. On a divided roadway, all traffic behind the bus must stop when the red lights are flashing. The 10’ area around a school bus is the “danger zone” for children when it comes to the risk of being struck by a vehicle. The field of view is very limited for the children, passing motorists and even the bus driver within this “danger zone”.
#4 – Be alert. Regardless of whether or not you’re in a school zone, all areas of town will see increased foot traffic by kids. Drive defensively and be alert for potential hazards. Put down the cell phone and pay attention to your surroundings. The 2 second that it takes to glance at that text may be when a child decides to run into the street.
#5 – Always obey the crossing guards. They stand out in the elements every day to keep your kids safe. They have a difficult and often thankless job, which is made even more difficult when drivers ignore their directions.
For more back to school safety tips, you can visit: https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/seasonal-safety/back-to-school
