News Talk 730, KYYA

School Safety Tips

If You're Dropping Off

  • Don't double park; it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles
  • Don't load or unload children across the street from the school
  • Carpool to reduce the number of vehicles at the school

Sharing the Road with Young Pedestrians

  • Don't block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic
  • In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection
  • Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign
  • Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas
  • Don't honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way
  • Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
  • Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way

Sharing the Road with School Buses

  • Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you're on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children
  • If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop
  • The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus
  • Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks

Sharing the Road with Bicyclists

  • When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist
  • When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass
  • If you're turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals
  • Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this
  • Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods
  • Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars
  • Check side mirrors before opening your door

Back To School Safety Tips from National Safety Council. Visit NSC.org for more.

Answers from the Principals of Billings School District 2


Extra Curricular Activities
David Cobb - Principal, Billings West High School

Registration
Joe Halligan - Associate Principal, Will James Middle School

Attendance
Kevin Kirkman - Principal, Riverside Middle School

Safety When Bussing, Walking, and Bike Riding
Kim Beatty - Principal, Big Sky Elementary

Homework Balance
Travis Niemeyer - Principal, Beartooth Elementary

 

Back to School Links

Billings Public Schools
http://www.billingsschools.org/elementary-schools.html
http://www.billingsschools.org/middle-schools.html
http://www.billingsschools.org/high-schools.html

Billings Catholic Schools
http://www.billingscatholicschools.org/saint-francis-primary/
http://www.billingscatholicschools.org/saint-francis-intermediate/
http://www.billingscatholicschools.org/saint-francis-upper/
http://www.billingscatholicschools.org/billings-central-catholic-high-school/