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The beginning of the school year means more young people traveling via bicycle, electric bike, off-highway vehicle and on foot.
According to Vision Zero, both pedestrians and drivers have roles in keeping students safe. Growing methods of transportation mean different encounters on daily drives, especially in neighborhoods.
Karin Mongeon, director of the North Dakota Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division, said, “Every trip to school should end with every student arriving home safely. We all share the responsibility of preventing crashes and moving North Dakota closer to zero traffic deaths.”
Parents also play an important role in helping their children to understand the rules of the roads. Whether a child walks, rides a bike, uses an e-bike or operates an OHV where permitted, practicing safe driving habits before the first day of school can help build confidence and reduce the risk of crashes.
Some important back to school safety reminders are to slow down in areas where children may be present, make sure helmets are fitted correctly and are worn for every ride, give plenty of room while passing and stay alert and eliminate distractions.
For the parents, talk with children about traffic safety the first day of school, choose age and skill appropriate vehicles and practice routes together and establish a safe place to ride.
For student riders, obey traffic signs and signals, stay visible and watch for traffic and put phones and distractions away.
“Safety is a shared responsibility,” Mongeon said. “When drivers stay alert, parents prepare their children and young riders make responsible choices, everyone benefits.”