Elk County Sheriff Provides Back To School Safety Tips

Students will be back in school beginning the 24th through the 27 of August with the three districts within the county having different start dates. Motorists are encouraged to take extra care as the school year begins to ensure safe travels for students and themselves. Drivers are cautioned to pay particular attention to the 15 MPH posted speed limit in active school zones where fines are doubled for violations.

Here are some other important safety tips for motorists, parents and children:

1. Always stop for school buses with flashing red signal. Buses are also equipped with a stop arm. Only proceed after the red signals are deactivated and the stop arm has been withdrawn.

2. Traffic MUST stop in both directions for a school bus with flashing red lights on a divided highway with no physical barriers. If there are physical barriers, traffic moving in the same direction as the school bus MUST stop.

3. Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and allow sufficient time for them to clear the roadway.

4. School crossing guards are there to assist students across the street safely. Obey their signals.

5. Children can be unpredictable, so always use caution when you observe them.

6. Teach your children to cross the street at a designated crosswalk and stop and look left, right and left again to make sure no vehicles are approaching.

7. For first time students, talk to your child about riding on a school bus. Show them the bus stop before the first day. When that day arrives, introduce him/her to the bus driver and teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus. Be sure that a parent or trusted adult that the child knows meets them at the bus stop at the end of the day. This will help ease the stress of beginning school and provide your child with a positive school experience.

8. If your child walks to school, practice walking with them.

9. Report any violators to local police.

This important message is brought to you by the Elk County Sheriff’s Office.