Traffic Safety Awareness Near Schools

After the summer vacation children return to school and classes resume.  Each year, in the City of Los Angeles, children are severely injured while being picked up or dropped off from school.

Motorists are reminded that school is back in session and that they must drive responsibly:

·    ALLOW EXTRA TIME: Parents who arrive late to school with their children, or at the last minute, tend to make poor choices that compromise the children’s safety.  Prepare the night before for the following school day.  An organized night is a happy morning.
·    REDUCE SPEED: The maximum speed near a school is 25 miles per hour.  However, slower speeds are recommended when children are present.  Speed is the number one cause of collisions around schools.
·    OBEY STOP SIGNS: Complete stops, at posted stop signs, will allow drivers to check for small children.  Drivers of high-profile vehicles must be especially observant and remember that the early morning sun can add to the already existing blind spots.
·    NO DOUBLE PARKING: Double parking hinders other traffic, causes congestion and creates an unsafe environment for children crossing the streets as they walk to school.  Never allow a child to disembark a vehicle that is double parked.
·    AVOID U-TURNS:  It is unsafe to make a U-turn during drop-off and pick-up times.  U-turns are permitted at an intersection only when safe to do so.

It is important to understand a child’s limitation in understanding traffic laws.  Children often:

·    Cannot easily judge a car’s speed and distance.
·    Assume that if they can see a car, its driver must be able to see them.
·    Believe that cars can stop instantly.
·    May be impatient and impulsive.
·    Have trouble recognizing and reacting to danger.

Comments

[Bert Kuhlmann]

I've been wondering about school zones. The sign says 25mph when children are present. does this mean A.. during the school year or B. when I can see children walking on the sidewalks. I try to follow the law, but if there are other cars behind me, and I slow to 25, on a street that has a 35mph or more limit, they quickly change lanes and speed by me or blow their horns.