With
the new school year just beginning, the Midland Police Department Traffic
Safety Team wants to share back-to-school safety tips with parents, students
and motorists.
As the school year begins, the Midland
Police Department Traffic Safety Team will be patrolling school zones
throughout the city. Please think of
safety first for a safe and successful school year.
Tips for Parents
Help your children learn and practice the safety rules for walking,
bicycling or riding in a passenger car, school bus or transit bus.
Supervise young children as they are walking or biking to school or as
they wait at the school bus stop.
Be a good role model, especially when you are with your kids. Always
buckle up in the car, always wear a helmet when biking, and always follow
pedestrian safety rules.
Tips for Students
Always buckle up when you’re riding in a car.
Always ride in the back seat. It’s the safest place for young people.
Always wear a helmet and follow traffic safety rules when riding your
bike.
If you ride a school bus, learn and practice the safety rules for
waiting at the bus stop, getting on and off the bus, and riding the bus.
If you walk to school, learn and practice the safety rules for
pedestrians. Always cross at crosswalks and obey all traffic signs, stop lights
and safety patrol instructions.
Be a good role model for your younger brothers and sisters and friends,
and help them learn and practice the safety rules.
Tips for Motorists
IF
RED LIGHTS ARE FLASHING ON A SCHOOL BUS, STOP! Red lights indicate that
children are getting on or off the bus and may be crossing the street. The extended stop signal arm on the bus
alerts traffic to stop when children are getting on or off the bus. Motorists
must stop their vehicles and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the
extended stop sign is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can
start driving again.
If
yellow lights are flashing on a school bus, the bus is preparing to stop to
load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their
vehicle.
Always stop for a school
crossing guard in the roadway. Failure to do so can result in a misdemeanor
violation.
Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits. Always stop for a
school bus that has stopped to load or unload passengers. Red flashing lights
and extended stop arm tell you the school bus is stopped to load or unload
children. State law requires you to
stop. Failure to do so can result in the issuance of a civil infraction
citation.
Be alert. Watch for children walking in the street, especially where
there are no sidewalks. Watch for children playing and gathering near bus
stops. Watch for children arriving late for the bus, who may dart into the
street without looking for traffic. When backing out of a driveway or leaving a
garage, watch for children walking or biking to school.
When driving in neighborhoods or school zones, watch for young people
who may be in a hurry to get to school and may not be thinking about getting
there safely. Fines may be doubled for
those issued a citation in a school zone.
For more information about
back-to-school safety tips or the police department’s Traffic Safety Team, call
989-631-5716 or visit the City of
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