Metro Pushes Safety As Schools Open

SAVANNAH, GA (August 5, 2014): Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police will be saturating school zones Thursday as most schools in the area begin the 2014-15 school year.

Traffic Unit officers will be monitoring school zones for compliance with speed limits and safety belt usage. They are reminding parents and students to “think safe, ride save and  be safe.”

Lt. Greg Mitchell, traffic unit commander, is reminding drivers of the zero tolerance for moving violations in school zones.

“The start of school means more vehicles on the roadways,” he said. “Help stay safe by leaving at least an extra 15 minutes early so that you don’t find yourself in a rush.”

He offered the following safety precautions whether traveling to school by bus, foot, bike or car:

School Bus:

 Wait at least five giant steps from the road and when the school bus arrives wait until the driver says to board

• Wait at least five giant steps from the road and when the school bus arrives wait until the driver says to board

• When boarding the school bus, go straight to your seat and do what the school bus driver tells you

• When exiting the bus, look out for cars and  take 5 giant steps from the school bus

• Look left, right and then left again before crossing to make sure no cars are coming and wait for the driver to signal it’s safe to cross

Walking: 

• Walk on the sidewalk. If there is none, walk facing traffic

• Do not push or shove others when you walk

• When crossing the street, look left, right and left again for cars. Do not cross if a car is approaching and use a crosswalk every time it is available, even if you have to walk a few extra steps to get to it

 

Bicycling: 

• Always wear a helmet and make sure to buckle your chin strap

• Ride on bike paths or on the sidewalk, do not ride in the street

Automobile: 

• Parents who drive their children to school are reminded to carefully secure each child in the proper child safety seat, booster seat , or seat belt.  (Adults and teens should also buckle up.  Wearing a safety belt is the single most effective way to avoid serious injury or death in the event of a crash.)