County officials caution drivers, parents about keeping students safe

THE FIRST DAY of school is just around the corner and Ocean County officials are once again advising motorists to keep a close eye on children traveling to and from class.

Ocean County Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari hosted a gathering of educational leaders, law enforcement officers and state officials to discuss how to keep students safe.

“Whether students take the bus, walk, ride a bicycle or are driven to school by their parents, there are safety rules everyone must follow,” he said.

Vicari spoke at the Toms River Regional Schools Transportation Garage.

“Toms River is the county’s largest school system with more students and more buses than any other district,” Vicari said. “It’s fitting that we should gather here to discuss the importance of back-to-school safety for all of the county’s school children.”

But the safety message was not just directed at motorists.

“Every year we caution drivers about back-to-school safety and the importance of paying extra attention to school buses and children walking to school,” Vicari 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.”

Drivers must be extra alert now that students will be back at their bus stops, Vicari said.

“Pay extra attention to the lower speed limits near schools,” he said. “Crossing guards will be protecting children, but it’s up to all of us as drivers to slow down and watch for kids in the roadway.”

But safe driving begins before the car even reaches the street, he said.

“Even while backing out of your driveway you may encounter inattentive students walking or bicycling to school,” he said.

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 also urged students to use extra caution and carefully check for any moving traffic when they exit a school bus.

“Never trust a vehicle to stop just because the bus is flashing its red warning 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 asked drivers to always stop for a school bus flashing its red lights.

“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.”

Freeholder John P. Kelly, who is also Director of Law and Public Safety, 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.

Kelly 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,” Kelly 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.

Also, parents should try to carpool their children in an effort to reduce the number of vehicles at a school.

Vicari added that children who ride their bikes to school must also obey all traffic laws.

“Before school begins, it’s a good idea to give your bicycle a thorough safety check to make sure its in proper and safe working order,” he said.

State law also requires anyone under the age of 17 to wear an approved safety helmet.

“Obeying these common sense rules will lead to a safe and rewarding school year for everyone,” Vicari said.