Morris Sheriff: Back to School Safety Tips for Students, Parents, Motorists

Published on August 25, 2019

Do Not Use Electronic Devices While Driving or Crossing Streets

As of tomorrow morning (Aug. 26) in some area of Morris County, classes will resume for school-age children, while thousands more will start school right after Labor Day.

(JPG, 18KB)That means motorists and pedestrians are going to have to be extra cautious, and pay extra attention to safety when walking to school, waiting for the bus, and driving through school zones.

School should be an exhilarating and joyful time for kids, their teachers and parents. It can stay that way if motorists slow down, patiently share the roads with buses, yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, and stay alert for exuberant kids darting into roadways, said Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon.

Here are some safety tips suggested by Sheriff Gannon from the National Safety Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

Pedestrians:

  • Children who walk to school should use a sidewalk when possible, or walk on the edge of the street facing traffic if there is no sidewalk. Before school starts, parents should practice the walk with young children;
  • Children under age of 10 should be walked to school by an adult or other responsible person;
  • Always use marked crosswalks to cross the street where they are available, and look left-right-left for vehicles or bicycles before crossing;
  • Watch the road when walking, not your cell phone;
  • Never play, push or shove others while walking around traffic;

Bicyclists

  • Bicycle in the same direction as traffic and follow traffic signs and signals, and stay in a bike lane when possible;
  • Don't use electronics while riding;
  • Children who bike to school should wear a helmet;

School Buses

  • Children who ride a school bus should always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus driver says it's OK to board;
  • Face forward after finding a seat on the bus and obey directions issued by the bus driver;
  • Exit the bus when it stops and always look left-right-left for cars before crossing a street;
  • Never chase after a school bus if you've missed it;
  • Motorists who drop their children off at school must follow specific drop-off procedures. Don't double-park, it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles;
  • Don't load or unload children across the street from the school;

Motorists

  • Motorists should allow a greater following distance when driving behind a bus, and never pass a bus from behind if it stopped to load or unload children;
  • Since the area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children, stop far enough back to allow children enough space to safely enter and exit the bus;
  • Motorists must always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign;
  • Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

(JPG, 14KB) Sheriff James M. Gannon

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