Back to School Safety Reminders - School Starts August 23
Where has the summer gone? School will be back in full swing beginning August 23 the Marshalltown Police Department is urging motorists to be alert for children. Drivers should be particularly careful around schools, bus stops, and in residential areas.
In an effort to help children travel to and from school safely, the Marshalltown Police Department will be increasing traffic and parking enforcement efforts in and around school zones. Officers will be watching for a variety of violations including motorists speeding through school zones, vehicles driving through school bus warning devices, and non-compliance with seat belt laws.
Drivers are reminded to:
- Obey all traffic and parking signs; stop signs, red lights, speed limit signs, etc.
- DO NOT drive distracted. Put your phones and electronic devices down while driving.
- Watch for clues that indicate children may be in the area; i.e. the presence of crossing monitors, school buses, school zone signs and bus stops.
- Give the right of way to pedestrians crossing the street.
- Share the roadway with bicyclists.
- Buckle seat belts and restrain your children in appropriate child safety seats.
- If you are picking your child up from school, designate an appropriate pick-up point. Avoid blocking streets and backing up traffic when picking up your child. Obey parking regulations.
- DO NOT double park, or block fire lanes, while waiting to drop off or pick up your child.
- Be alert for children in or around the roadway. ALWAYS BE PREPARED TO STOP.
It is also important for parents and students to take proper safety precautions. Parents are encouraged to teach their children how to get to and from school safely by:
- Knowing the route to and from school.
- Walking on the sidewalk when available.
- Walking on the far-left side of the street, facing traffic, if there is no sidewalk, and it is necessary to walk in the roadway.
- Using crosswalks and designated school crossings whenever possible.
- Obeying all traffic laws, and wearing a properly fitted helmet, when riding a bicycle.
- Knowing where your child’s designated bus stop is and teaching your child which bus they should get on.
- Parents should know how long it takes their child to get to and from school. Parents should check in with their child to make sure they made it home from school safely.
- Parents should know who their children’s friends are and where they live.
- TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THEY SHOULD NOT GO HOME WITH ANYONE WITHOUT A PARENT’S PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND APPROVAL. This includes people your child knows.
Have a great school year Marshalltown!
AUTHORITY: Michael W. Tupper, Chief of Police (mtupper@marshalltown-ia.gov or 641.754.5771)