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Children resume their school pilgrimages

You’ll find them along busy streets and highways or filling crosswalks; they come on bicycles, buses, private vehicles or their own two feet. They drag heavy backpacks or cases filled with musical instruments. And more often than not, they’re preoccupied visiting with friends or just kicking rocks.

Children have begun the annual pilgrimage back to school after a three-month hiatus.

Their presence around schools and their journeys to and from schools represent a challenge to motorists who share the roads and streets on their daily commutes. The two competing groups can coexist safely as long as both are aware of the potential hazards and travel with extra vigilance.

The Idaho Transportation Department joins public and private partners in urging motorists to use caution when driving in areas where children are likely to be present. ITD recently created a new program – Safe Routes to Schools – to improve safety for children and motorists.

“Young children (K-3rd grade) generally have not developed a healthy respect for automobiles and an awareness of potential risks of traveling to and from school,”
explains Greg Fredericksen of ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and Safety. “They tend to act impulsively, sometimes are less aware of their surroundings, are easily distracted and don’t think about the challenges drivers face.

“They assume that if they see you in a car, you can see them. That’s not always the case. They also believe drivers can stop with little or no warning. That’s not the case either.”

Idaho made significant strides in reducing the instances of pedestrian-related crashes involving school-age children in 2005. Injuries and fatalities declined by nearly 37 percent – from 76 in 2004 to 48 last year – the second-lowest number since 2001. Nearly one-quarter of the pedestrians injured or killed (22 percent), were between the ages of 4 and 14. That also declined from almost 33 percent the year before.

The number of children between the ages of 4 and 14 involved in bicycle-automobile collisions increased slightly from 2004 to 2005, from 105 to 109.

Recognizing the need for increased safety, the 2005 Idaho Legislature increased the mandatory fine for motorists caught speeding in designated school zones. Most school zones are clearly marked with signs and flashing lights that are activated during school commute periods.

Safety also extends to the highways where motorists encounter school buses in the mornings and afternoons.

Drivers must stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped to pick up or deliver school children if the bus displays flashing signals.

On a two-lane road, following and oncoming traffic must stop and remain stopped as long as the red lights are flashing and/or the stop arm on the left side of the bus is extended.

On a highway with two or more lanes of traffic traveling in each direction, oncoming traffic is not required to stop when meeting a school bus. However, motorists still are urged to watch for children crossing traffic lanes while on their way to or from the bus.

Drivers also should use caution when traveling through school zones or near routes used by children and should observe school speed limits and the instructions of crossing guards.

Other suggestions to make the school year safer for children and motorists:

Pedestrian and bicycle safety tips
Safety tips to share with children
Safety tips for children who ride school buses

Published 9-1-06