Students are reminded to be aware of traffic when walking to school.
Frederick, Md (KM) There’s expected to be more vehicle traffic and more children out on the roads as schools start up again for the year. “You’re going to see the summer traffic patterns now go back to what you’re used to,” says Charlie Gischlar, a spokesman for the State Highway Administration. “So you’re going to have to get up a little bit earlier. There’s going to be a lot of people heading in the same direction at the same time.”
Gischlar says motorists are urged to always stop for pedestrians: treat every intersection as if it was a crosswalk, even if it’s not marked as such; and obey all traffic signs, signals and markings. “Yield to pedestrians when making a right on red. And obey posted speed limits. Speeding only makes it more difficult to stop,” he says.
With the start of school, the familiar yellow school bus will be on the roads. Gischlar says remember what you need to do as children are getting on and getting off the bus. “When that stop arm is extended, and the lights are flashing, you have to stop. You never know with kids. They’re unpredictable. It’s the law you have to stop when it is flashing,” he says.
For students walking to school, SHA reminds kids to use sidewalks. In addition, press the pedestrian signal button and wait for the walk signal. Also, walk across the street, don’t run, says Gischlar. “Look up; look out; stay alert; walk smart. When crossing, look left, right and left again. Just be extra vigilant,” he says.
In addition, “don’t cross between two vehicles. Cross at a marked crosswalk where there’s a pedestrian amenity there. Most areas near schools will have that. Make sure you obey all the crossing guards,” he says.
For those kids who love high tech, SHA says take off the headphones while walking, and no texting or playing games, especially Pokeman Go. “Don’t play that going to school,” says Gischlar. “Make sure you’re playing all the rules of the road. And make sure you’re watching out for traffic just as we tell motorists to watch out for pedestrians.”
Frederick County public schools are scheduled to open for the year on Monday, August 22nd.