Schools Close for the Summer
As the school year comes to a close in Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Treasure Coast Community Traffic Safety Teams (CTSTs) remind motorists and students to take extra traffic safety precautions during summer break. During the summer children are at increased risk of transportation related injuries from pedestrian, bicycle, and motor vehicle crashes. FDOT and the CTSTs offer the following tips for making summer safer for motorists and students.
Tips for Motorists
- Slow down and obey all traffic laws, speed limits and traffic signals.
- Keep an eye out for children walking, skating or bicycling in the street, especially where there are no sidewalks.
- Be alert for children playing and for those who may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
- When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch for children walking, biking skating or skateboarding.
Tips for Parents
- Be a good role model. Always buckle up in the car, always wear a helmet when biking, and always follow pedestrian safety rules.
- Supervise young children as they are walking, biking or skating.
- Provide your children with bright clothing so motorists can easily see them.
- Make sure that your child is properly buckled up in the appropriate child safety seat and in the back seat. Safety experts advise that all children under the age of 12 should ride in the back seat.
- Make sure that your teen driver understands and obeys all state traffic laws.
Tips for Students
- Always buckle up when riding in a car. Always ride in the back seat. It’s the safest place for young people.
- Always wear a helmet and follow traffic safety rules when riding your bike.
- Learn and practice the safety rules for pedestrians. It’s extremely important for you to use the sidewalk when available, look left-right-left when crossing the road, and always walk facing traffic.
- Always cross at crosswalks, obey all traffic signs and traffic lights.
- Teen drivers should avoid speeding and minimize distractions (texting, talking on cell phones, eating, adjusting the radio) while driving. Never overload your vehicle. Require everyone riding in your vehicle to use a safety belt.
- Teen drivers should be a good role model for your younger brothers and sisters and friends, and help them learn and follow vehicle safety rules.
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