DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WLNE) — The Dartmouth Police Department is sharing back to school safety tips for drivers and students as the school year begins.
Officials said motorists should heed the following tips for safety when driving through school zones and around busses:
- Never pass a bus from behind or pass if its red and yellow lights are flashing
- Stop far enough behind the bus for students to safely enter and exit the bus
- Allow a greater following distance when driving behind a bus than if you were behind a car
- Be aware of local pick-up and drop-off procedures at area schools
- Make eye contact with pedestrians crossing the street
- Don’t drive distracted
Police shared the following tips for students walking to school:
- Walk on the sidewalk whenever possible. When on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing traffic
- Before crossing the street, stop and look both ways for traffic
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street and only cross at crosswalks and intersections
- Stay alert and avoid distracted walking
For students riding their bikes to school, police recommended these safety tips:
- Ride on the right side of the road, in the same direction as traffic in a single-file line
- Come to a complete stop before walking your bike crossing the street
- Stay alert and avoid distracted riding
- Always wear a properly fitted helmet and bright-colored clothing
For parents of students taking the bus to school this year, police say:
- Go to the bust stop with your child to teach them how to properly get on and off the bus
- Teach your children to stand six feet, or three big steps, away from the curb
- If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach them to walk until they’re 10 feet ahead of the bus and making eye contact with the driver
And for students riding the bus:
- Wait until the bus stops and the doors open before approaching
- Remind children to look right before stepping off the bus
- Never walk behind the bus
For more safety tips for the school year, visit the National Safety Council webpage for more information
