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Safety Is The Key As Schools Prepare To Open
OCEAN COUNTY - In a few short weeks' time, Ocean County's roads will once again be filled with buses and bicycles, as thousands of children return to school.
"No matter whether children ride the bus, walk to school, bicycle or are driven by a parent, now is the time for all of us to pay more attention on the road," said Freeholder Director John P. Kelly.
Kelly, who is also director of law and public safety, said a safe school year depends on a partnership between parents, students, educators and drivers.
"Every year, we caution drivers that school is about to open and they need to pay extra attention
to school buses and children
walking to school," Kelly said. "It's equally important to reach
out to children and their parents to discuss the simple rules they can follow to make sure everyone stays safe."
Ocean County traffic safety officials joined with education leaders and law enforcement officers to stress the importance of back to school safety.
"If you are driving, you must be alert," Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari said. "Even while backing out of your driveway, you may encounter inattentive students walking or bicycling to school."
Vicari spoke at a press conference he hosted at the Berkeley Township Board of Education school bus garage. Vicari also serves as superintendent of the school district.
When approaching any intersection, pedestrian crossing or school zone, be alert, cover the brake and be ready to stop, he said.
"Take a hard look," Vicari said. "Look, and then look again, for the child hidden by parked cars, shrubbery or high grass, trees or poles. Even mailboxes can obscure a child, if only for a moment."
Watch for the "darting child" who runs into the roadway chasing a ball or some other object, he said.
He urged students to use extra caution when they exit the school bus and carefully check for any moving traffic.
"Never trust a vehicle to stop just because the bus is flashing its red earning lights. Always look both ways before crossing the street after stepping out of the school bus," Vicari said.
Ocean County Superintendent of Schools Bruce Greenfield warned that state law gives bus drivers 120 days to report any driver who does not stop for a school bus picking up or delivering children.
"State law requires drivers to stop at least 25 feet from a stopped school bus," he said. "If a driver does not stop, the bus driver will report your license plate number and a summons will be mailed to the offending driver."
Vicari said children walking to school should always follow the same route and avoid short cuts.
"Parents should walk with their children at least once at the start of school so they know the route and approximately how long it takes to travel to and from school," he said.
Vicari advised children to walk in groups and pay attention to any hazards along the way, such as road construction or barking dogs.
"If a child is approached by a stranger in a car, they should be taught to run the opposite way - towards the rear of the car. This way, the driver will have to first turn around before they can pursue the child," he said.
Vicari also had advice for parents who drive their children to school.
"Before school begins, visit the school and learn the proper drop-off points so to not interfere with bus traffic," he said.
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