It is back to school time again for Carlsbad’s children and the City of Carlsbad Police Department would like to partner with parents on back-to-school safety. Here are some safety tips:
Model safe driving habits for your children
Slow to 25 miles-per-hour and be especially alert while driving near a school.
Be aware and look for children at intersections, medians and curbs.
Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
Watch for children on and near the roadway during morning and after school hours.
Yield to pedestrians.
Remove distractions so you can concentrate solely on the road and your surroundings.
Remember the basic safety rules
Use seat belts, car seats or booster seats for children. (Child Safety Seats (ca.gov)
Always use a crosswalk to cross the street.
Watch for school buses.
Talk with children about the importance of traffic safety
Teach children how to cross the street at corners and in crosswalks.
Always use a crossing guard to cross the street, when available.
Use safe biking rules, like wearing a helmet and stopping at street corners and stop signs (Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety (ca.gov)).
Review electric bike (ebike) safety and rules of the road (Electric Bikes | Carlsbad, CA (carlsbadca.gov)
Caution children not to run into streets or cross in between parked cars.
Walk with children to school for the first few days to familiarize them with the route and to point out possible traffic hazards.
Talk to your child about what to do if they need to choose a different route.
Recall there is safety in numbers and walking to and from school is always safer and more fun with a buddy.
Teach children what do if they need help, including how to dial 9-1-1.
Take an active role in helping teens learn to drive responsibly (Youth Programs and Services (ca.gov))
Remind teens they are not allowed to have passengers for the first year that they are licensed to drive.
Remind teens that texting and talking on the phone while driving is illegal and dangerous.
“No matter how your child travels to school, together we can make sure they arrive safely,” said Traffic Lieutenant Steve Thomas.
