FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — As Waynesville R-VI School District students return to classrooms Aug. 19, Fort Leonard Wood’s Garrison Safety Office and the Directorate of Emergency Services have some back-to-school information to help ensure a safe school year.
According to DES Police Lt. Aric Freed, the community can expect to see more officers near schools, especially before and after school.
“DES will be focusing law enforcement patrols in the school zones to ensure the safety of the children walking to school,” Freed said. “The intent of having the increased focused patrols is to educate drivers to ensure they plan their routes accordingly to avoid the school zones altogether, or that they factor the decreased speed limit into their commute and focus their full attention to the roadway.”
One of the most common issues on post, according to Freed, is children entering the roadway at points that aren’t in a crosswalk or intersection, “especially in the housing areas.”
Freed said it is a good idea to walk students to school before the first day of school — to teach proper sidewalk etiquette, proper safety when crossing streets and to help children learn their route.
“Having a plan if there is an emergency is important, too. The plan should include where to go if something happens, to find a trusted adult — school bus driver, teacher or a trusted parent — to help them,” Freed said.
John Lackey, a safety and occupational health specialist with the Garrison Safety Office, agreed and said it would be ideal if parents could walk their children to school for the first week.
“Parents should walk with young children, students taking new routes or attending new schools, to ensure they know how to get there safely,” Lackey said. “(Or) arrange for students to walk to the bus stop or school with a friend or classmate.”
He said it is inevitable that children are going to be running late for school or not paying attention all the time — same for drivers, and that’s when accidents happen.
“The biggest safety hazard is distracted driving,” Lackey said. “Drivers, stay alert — look out for school buses, be prepared to stop quickly and don’t pass school busses. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is getting ready to stop and motorists should slow down and be prepared to stop. Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate the bus is stopped and children are getting on or off.”
For drivers:
- Buckle Up, Phone Down. These four words are never more important than during the school year. Looking away from the roadway to send a text message increases the chance of being involved in a crash. Avoid using a cellphone or doing any other activity that might take attention away from the roadway. In addition to being unsafe, it is also against the law to use a cell phone while driving in the state of Missouri. Set a good example for young passengers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled in.
- Expect the unexpected. When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school. Remember, children in groups or who are arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
- Do not pass. It is a state law that vehicles in both lanes must stop when a school bus has its red warning lights flashing and the stop sign is extended.
- Slow down. Watch for school zones, where speed limits are reduced. Law enforcement will be conducting focused patrols near schools to ensure the safety of those walking to and from school.
For students:
Parents and caregivers should talk to children about bus-stop and traffic-safety rules. Here are a few tips:
- Always stay in sight of the bus driver. Make eye contact when possible. Assume drivers cannot see you and never walk behind a school bus.
- Don’t hurry off the bus. Make sure to check for traffic first.
- Use sidewalks where available. If you must walk in the street, walk single file, facing traffic.
- Be alert. Avoid using cellphones, ear buds and hand-held games, as they can be a distraction.
Use caution. When crossing a street — in a crosswalk or at a corner — look left, then right, then left again. Wait until all cars are stopped or the road is clear before stepping out — that means all cars in all lanes in all directions.
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