The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) is reminding the public that the 2012-13 school year will be beginning soon in the province, so drivers and pedestrians are urged to exercise safety precautions.
Below are some timely tips from the RNC:
• Discuss road safety regularly with your children so they’re comfortable with these topics and know what to do;
• Parents should educate their children about their responsibilities when using crosswalks and encourage them to make eye contact with motorists prior to entering a crosswalk. Doing a dry run walk to school before school starts will show your child how to get to and from school safely;
• Motorists should pay particular attention to young children riding bicycles and walking as they often cross the road in areas where there are no crosswalks;
• Motorists are reminded to significantly reduce speed in school and residential areas and to repeatedly scan intersections for school-aged pedestrians, especially at crosswalks;
• Children should be reminded to avoid distractions such as texting while walking and to be alert and aware of their surroundings;
• Children should also be taught that when walking to and from school, a stranger is anyone they don’t know, and even someone who is friendly is a stranger.;
• Young children should be taught their full name, address and a parent or guardian’s phone number in case of an emergency;
• Children should know to never enter the house or car of a stranger and when they are home after school, to never let a stranger into the house.
The RNC says members of its traffic services and patrol divisions will be increasing parols in school and residential neighborhoods this school year to ensure speeds are reduced and crosswalks are being used and respected by both pedestrians and motorists.
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