Dark mornings mean extra care on the walk to school
By BC RCMP
With the days getting shorter, many students may be heading to school while it’s still dark outside. A few simple precautions can help make that morning walk safer.
For students:
- Be seen. Wear bright or reflective clothing and consider carrying a flashlight or light.
- Use sidewalks and crosswalks. Cross at marked intersections whenever possible and avoid taking shortcuts across busy roads.
- Look before you cross. Stop, look both ways and make eye contact with drivers before stepping onto the road.
- Phones down, heads up. Put away phones and earbuds when crossing streets so you can see and hear what’s happening around you.
- Walk together. Whenever possible, walk with a friend, sibling or group, especially when it’s dark.
For parents:
- Choose the safest route to school, not necessarily the shortest one.
- Make sure backpacks, jackets or shoes have reflective material or add a clip-on light.
- With younger children, walk the route together and point out safe places to cross.
- Remind children that even when they have the right-of-way, they should never assume a driver has seen them.
- If you’re driving your child to school, slow down around schools and crosswalks and watch for children who may be difficult to see.
And let’s not forget about drivers:
- Please slow down, stay alert and take that extra moment to look for children and youth during the morning commute.
This post was syndicated from https://rosslandtelegraph.com
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