Back to School Safety

(Brevard County, Fla.) - Brevard County Public Schools open for students tomorrow, August 10th and it's up to everyone to keep our children safe.

It's no uncertainty that school days bring about congestion: children hurrying to get to class, buses picking up students, parents rushing to drop off their children and still make it to work on time.  It becomes inherently important that drivers slow down, pay attention, and adhere to school zones.

Dropping Off Students

Be sure you understand your school's procedures for dropping off and picking up students.  According to the National Safe Routes to School Program, more children are hit by cars near schools than at any other location.  When in school zones:

• Refrain from double parking (it inhibits visibility for children and other vehicles)
• Do not load or unload children across the street from the school
• Consider joining a carpool to reduce the number of vehicles at and around the school

Sharing the Road With School-Aged Pedestrians and Bicyclists

The National Safety Council tells us most children killed in bus-related incident a pedestrians aged 4 to 7 years old.  Please adhere to these guidelines when operating a vehicle near school busesor near bicyclists:

   
• Do not block the crosswalk with your vehicle; this could force children into the path of moving traffic
• Yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersections
• Always follow the direction of a school resource officer, law enforcement or crossing guards
• Exercise extreme caution and look out for children when driving in school zones, near playground and parks, and in all residential areas
• Never pass a vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian
• When passing a bicylist, proceed in the same direction and leave room between your vehicle and the cyclist.
• Watch for bicyclists crossing your path with looking or giving you a signal; this is very common with children bicyclists

Sharing the Road with School Buses

It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.  Remember these helpful hints:

• Never pass a bus from behind if it's picking up or dropping off children
• All traffic must stop if the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended
• The most dangerous place for children is the 10 feet around the school bus; give the children ample room to safely enter and exit the bus.

BE ALERT; CHILDREN ARE NOT ONLY UNPREDICTABLE, 

THEY OFTEN IGNORE HAZARDS AND TAKE RISKS.

For more information on school safety (or any other safety programs), please contact Lieutenant Donald Slayman (Public Information Officer for the Brevard County Professional Firefighters) at donald.slayman@iaff2969.com