The Road Ahead With RTC: Back to School Safety

SPONSORED: School starts August 14. That means the roads in and around schools will be busy with more young pedestrians and bicylists. Safe Routes to School is a partnership of the Washoe County School District and the RTC.  The program educates kids about healthy ways to get to school, such as walking or riding a bike.  Along with that, Safe Routes to School is a program that goes into schools year-round to teach kids the rules of the road, how to safely get across streets, bike safety and much more.

Drivers are encouraged to pay close attention while driving, especially as the days continually get darker, earlier. Students can also stay safe by walking on the sidewalk, only crossing streets at corners and crosswalks, making eye contact with drivers, and walking in groups. Distractions can be a problem, so pedestrians should remove their earbuds out and put devices down, keep their heads up and stay alert. Drivers need to remember, especially now that school is back in session, watch out for students walking and biking in school zones and on neighborhood streets. Crashes near schools are preventable. Local law enforcement agencies will be increasing enforcement in and around school zones.

The last school year was particularly dangerous for local children. 21 crashes happened in Washoe County involving students. One of those was a life-altering crash near McQueen High School. 10 of those crashes happened in marked crosswalks, so it’s really important that people slow down and pay attention. The only acceptable number of crashes is zero.

Copyright 2023 KOLO. All rights reserved.