Today is the first day of school for the Morongo Unified School District. According to the National Safe Routes to School program, more children are hit by cars near schools than at any other location. Now that Morongo Basin schools are open, drivers must be more cautious than ever in or near school zones. Reporter Mike Lipsitz reminds us of safe driver practices in school zone…
Back to school means it’s time for drivers to observe extra caution. If you drive children to school:
• Don’t block visibility by double parking.
• Let children out on the same side as the school.
• Carpool to reduce the traffic volume.
And for all drivers:
• Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn. This forces pedestrians to go around you and can put them in the path of traffic.
• In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk.
• Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign.
• Watch for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas
• Don’t honk at pedestrians, even if you have the right of way.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.
• In general, use extra caution around pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way.
