The Washington Township Police urges everyone to be alert as back to school is right around the corner. We wish all students a safe and successful school year!
We need all drivers to watch out for children and follow all traffic laws, including speed limits in school zones, yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, and not passing school buses when their lights are flashing and stop arms are extended. Parents/guardians are encouraged to role-play possible situations with students and discuss personal safety and awareness tips.
Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop when a school bus’s yellow lights are flashing. Drivers must come to a full stop and wait when a bus’s red lights are flashing, and its stop-arm is extended. It is illegal to speed up and pass a bus as it slows to a stop with its yellow lights flashing or is stopped with its red lights flashing. Drivers may proceed only after the bus’s lights have stopped flashing and the bus has begun moving again. Even when a bus doesn’t have flashing lights, drivers should exercise caution for children who may be crossing unexpectedly.
Parents should teach their children to arrive at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to be there and to play it SAFE:
- Stay at least ten feet—five giant steps—away from the curb.
- Always wait for the bus to stop completely and the bus driver to signal it’s safe to board.
- Face forward after finding a seat on the bus.
- Exit the bus after it stops, wait for the bus driver to signal it’s safe to cross, and then look left-right-left for cars before crossing a street in front of the bus, never behind.
Drivers should always look out for pedestrians everywhere, follow the speed limit—especially in school zones and neighborhoods—and use extra caution at dark or in other hard-to-see conditions. The Washington Township Police have a zero tolerance policy on motor vehicle violations, especially in school zones. Drivers are urged to watch for children and take their time when traveling through school zones.
- It is against the law to pass a stopped school bus while its lights are flashing and its stop arm is extended.
- Obey speed limits which may change during school zone times.
- Avoid distracted driving and keep your attention on the road.
- Watch for students walking and riding bikes to school.
- Don’t pass a stopped school bus loading or unloading passengers. On a two-lane road, vehicles traveling in both directions must stop.
- Have all vehicle occupants wear their seatbelts.
- Pick-up and drop-off students in designated locations.
If your student is younger or going to school for the first time, teach them:
- Their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult and how to dial 911.
- Not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.
If your child walks to school, teach them to:
- Walk on the sidewalk. If no sidewalk is available, walk facing traffic on the edge of the street.
- Stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming.
- Follow the directions of the school crossing guards
- Cross the street at the corner, in marked crosswalks and obey traffic signals and stay in the crosswalk.
- Never run out into the street or cross between parked cars
- Put phones and any other electronic device away and pay attention when walking
If your student takes the bus to school, teach them to:
- Get to their bus stop early and stand away from the curb while waiting for the bus to arrive
- Board the bus only after it has come to a complete stop and the driver or attendant has instructed them to get on. And only board their bus, never an alternate one.
- Stay in clear view of the bus driver and never walk behind the bus.
Always Ensure students:
🚸Know their address, telephone number and how to contact a parent or guardian.
🚸Remain aware of their surroundings.
🚸Walk or bike with another person, whenever possible
🚸Stay in well-lit areas.
🚸Limit the use of devices that may distract them.
🚸Avoid engaging in conversation with strangers.
🚸Immediately report anything that makes them feel unsafe to a trusted adult.
