Class is back in session for Hinsdale students, which means youth and families making their morning and afternoon school commutes — often on foot or by bicycle.
The urge to hurry often vies for our state of mind when there are tasks to tend to. But let us this season instead tend to the safety of our community’s most precious resource by slowing down, yielding to pedestrians and obeying crossing guards who are depending on us to pay attention — i.e. off our phones — and comply as they escort students.
Those driving to and from school also should extend courtesy to one another whether waiting in line or searching for a parking spot. Observing this guidance from AAA and the National Safety Council will help make everybody’s trip a safe one.
• Come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.
• Know and follow each school’s drop-off and pick-up procedures.
• Know and follow the rules for all school zones: don’t block visibility by double parking and don’t load or unload children across the street from the school.
• Carpool to reduce the number of vehicles at the school. Better yet, if the weather permits, have students walk or ride their bikes to schools.
• Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn. Pedestrians forced to go around the car could find themselves in the path of moving traffic.
• Stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk in a school zone when flashers are blinking.
• Don’t honk at a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.
• Never pass a school bus from either direction if it is stopped to load or unload children.
• Stop far enough back from a school bus to provide at least 10 feet for children to safely enter and exit the bus.
• Pass a bicyclist slowly, leaving three feet between your car and the cyclist.
• Wait for the bicyclist to pass when turning left with a rider approaching in the opposite direction.
• Let the cyclist go through the intersection first when turning right with a rider approaching from behind.
• Watch for riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling. Children especially have a tendency to do this.
• Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars.
Penalties are high for drivers who commit offenses in school zones or near school buses. The first offense for illegally passing a school bus, for example, is a mandatory minimum fine of $150 accompanied by a three-month drivers license suspension.
Needless to say the consequences are even more severe for pedestrians or bicyclists who are struck and suffer injuries or the loss of life.
Just two assignments will help keep everyone safe this school year.
Leave a little extra time. Pay a little extra attention.
