The kids are headed back school and we are preparing to get back into our school day routines of getting them to school, picking them up, getting to sports, dance, karate, cheer, etc. I want everyone from moms and dads, to all the kids riding their bikes, and walking to and from school, to all our high school drivers, to take a minute and think about getting to and from school safely, not only your safety, but everyone’s safety around you.
During the first few days of school it is not uncommon for us to respond to traffic collisions involving not only cars, but pedestrians, bicycles, and kids on skateboards. We have a big goal this year;
Let’s not have a single one of those types of events this school year.
How do we collectively accomplish this goal as a community? It is my belief that the most important things you can do to help us accomplish this goal are:
- Leave a little earlier.
- Slow down.
- Be willing to park your car a little ways from school and walk the last few hundred feet to school if possible.
When we speak publicly to groups about traffic issues, or conduct drivers training at the high school, we always make these same suggestions and receive such a favorable response from those that try one or all of them.
Also, always, always, always keep your eyes open for the crossing guards and what they are doing. They have a much better eye on everything that is going on at their crosswalk and will help you get into and out of the school area safely.
I have been driving in and around school traffic in this area since 1989 and have found the absolute best way to get in and out of any school in the district is to arrive about 20-30 minutes before school starts, and pick up about 15-20 minutes after school lets out. I know this is not feasible for everyone due to multiple stops with children in different schools etc. But if you can flex your schedule a little to avoid arriving in the area at peak times you can save yourself a lot of time, grief, and stress.
Now for a few things for students to remember to help out………….
- When we are walking we should be on the sidewalk.
- Never cross the street mid-block. Drivers in cars are not looking for you mid-block. Go to the end of the street and cross at a cross walk, stop sign or traffic signal. Use the help of a crossing guard if available. They are there for you and do a great job.
- When riding a bicycle, ride as close to the right hand edge of the road as possible, or in a bicycle lane if moving slower than the flow of traffic. You must always ride with traffic, and when approaching an intersection may leave the right hand edge of the road or bicycle lane to enter the left turn pocket only when you can do so with reasonable safety. Motor vehicles do not have to do any special yielding to bicycles because the rules of the road apply equally to both. So be careful if you attempt to do this type of maneuver. Cars outweigh you by a considerable amount and your body will always be the loser if you are involved in an accident with a motor vehicle regardless of who was at fault. We suggest that it is much safer for you to get off your bike and cross the street at a traffic signal or stop light with a crosswalk.
- Bicycles should never be ridden on the sidewalks. Sidewalks are for pedestrians only.
- If you are under 18 years of age, you must wear a bicycle helmet at all times you are riding a bicycle. Same goes for skateboards.
- When we investigate traffic collisions with bicycles, the operator of the motor vehicle usually tells us they never saw the bicyclist. Keep that in mind as you pedal about your city. Use common sense when it comes to sharing the road with motor vehicles and you should enjoy a safe and fun school year of bicycling.
I welcome any calls or e-mails providing feedback, thoughts, or suggestions. If you as a parent, teacher, or administrator have a particular request for a school newsletter article pertaining to your school specifically, contact me at 951-461-6302 or e-mail at jfroboese@murrieta.org.
