Each morning as the big yellow bus rounds the corner, parents send their children off to school with the expectation they will remain safe. As children strap on backpacks filled with books, pick out their always important back to school outfits and ultimately kick off another school year we each must do our part to assure our children remain safe.
Schools in San Carlos Park Fire District are back in session Monday, August 24th and SCPFD would like to remind its residents to SLOW DOWN. SPCFD will be posted at the high traffic areas and school zones throughout San Carlos Park reminding residents school is back in session and encouraging safe driving behaviors.
In the United States, 4,092 pedestrians died from traffic-related injuries in 2009, and another 59,000 sustained nonfatal injuries (NHTSA 2009). One-fifth (19%) of the traffic fatalities among children ages 5-9 years were sustained by pedestrians (NHTSA 2009). While driving, pedestrians can be very hard to see. Due to their smaller size, children may be especially difficult to see if they are standing between parked cars on the side of the road.
For drivers, remember to slow down and be especially alert in the residential neighborhoods and school zones; take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs; and enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully. Remind your children to cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks; never run out into the streets or cross in between parked cars; and to make sure they always walk in front of the bus where the driver can see them.
Be on the lookout for students and your SCPFD Firefighters on the 24th and join us in accepting the responsibility to keep safety in mind during your commute so we may be sure children return home safely each evening.