As kids head back to school, remember these important safety tips
Monday August 24 is the first day of school for approximately 160,000 Dallas Independent School District (DISD) students. And while some students will fill yellow buses and sidewalks, statistics show most will climb into the family car and travel to and from one or more of the 224 schools in the DISD.
Nationwide, 61 children will be hit by motor vehicles in preventable accidents during these very hours before and after school. Driver inattention around already crowded school parking lots, texting and talking on mobile devices and wearing headphones while driving creates a situation that often ends in injury or death. As the saying goes, “accidents hurt, safety doesn’t.”
The City of Dallas and the National Safety Council are focused on efforts to educate children and adults on the dangers of distracted driving and walking. Before your children head out the door to school next Monday, remind them of these year-round safety tips:
- Be aware of your surroundings—practice situational awareness
- Never walk while texting or talking on the phone—Head up, phone down!
- Never cross the street while operating an electronic device
- Do not walk with headphones on
- Always walk on the sidewalk when available; if you must walk on the street, face oncoming traffic
- Cross only at crosswalks
Drivers should exercise extreme caution when operating in and near school zones during morning and afternoon hours. Passing a school bus stopped with flashing lights and placards is illegal and dangerous. The additional minute you spend sitting in traffic is a small price to pay for preserving life.
For more safety tips, news and resources visit www.nsc.org.
