The school year begins for most students in our area on Tuesday, so be aware that student traffic will be picking up as they begin walking or biking to school.
The afternoon hours are particularly dangerous for children who walk from school. Drivers are asked to slow down around schools and watch carefully for kids who may emerge suddenly from between two parked cars. Children riding bicycles are often inexperienced, unsteady, and unpredictable, so be sure to slow down and allow at least three feet of passing distance between your vehicle and the bicycle.
If your child drives to school, remind them of these safety tips as they navigate to school. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. and more than one in four fatal crashes involving teen drivers occur during the after school hours of 3–7 p.m.