“Children are our most valuable resource.” -Herbert Hoover, 31st President of the United States

Summer is quickly ending and that means our most valuable resource, our children, are heading back to school.  It’s important that we all are reminded of ways we can help keep them safe and healthy throughout the school year.

During this busy time, please be extra cautious in traffic. Be mindful of our school traffic zones especially during the morning hours and early afternoons. Keep an extra look out for potential hazards around our schools and in neighborhoods where children play. Slow down and increase your stopping distances.

School buses are back on the road. Be aware of school bus routes in your neighborhood and throughout your daily travel. Leave plenty of time and space for buses. With school traffic, anticipate delays in your travel and leave early so you’re not in a rush. And, when approaching a school zone or school bus on the road, be prepared to stop for bus and pedestrian traffic.

Whether they take the bus to school or are driven to school by an adult or older student, it is crucial that we take proper safety precautions. Here are some tips to make sure our child stay safe:

Walking

• Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available; when on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic
• Before you cross the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections
• Stay alert and avoid distracted walking

Bus Riders

• Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus
• Teach your children to stand 6 feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb
• If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach him or her to walk on the side of the road until they are 10 feet ahead of the bus; your child and the bus driver should always be able to see each other

Driving Your Child to School

• Obey school zone speed limits and follow your school’s drop-off procedure
• Don’t double park; it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles
• Make eye contact with children who are crossing the street
• Never pass a bus loading or unloading children
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus
• Stay alert and avoid distracted driving

Teen Drivers

• Teens crash because they are inexperienced; practice with new drivers every week, before and after they get their license
• Set a good example; drive the way you want your teen to drive
• Don’t text and drive
• Slow down, obey school zone speed limits

I want to thank all of you who help make our education system an integral, positive force in our community.

Our children are counting on us – let’s work together to make “back to school” a rewarding, fun, and safe time for all Cherokee County residents.

Your Sheriff, Jeff Shaver