Drive cautiously as kids return to school

Springfield schools will be back in session next week and our streets will be bustling with morning and evening activity again. As children head back to school – the City of Springfield, Springfield Public Schools, and Springfield Police urge drivers to use extra caution, especially near schools, crosswalks, and neighborhoods.

Neighborhoods around schools will see a dramatic increase in people walking, biking, and driving. Drive safe and avoid distractions like cell phones and loud music, which can take your attention away from the road and decrease reaction time.

Tips to Keep Our School Commutes Safe:

1.     Allow for extra time and be patient with delays. Exercise patience as families and children get used to the back-to-school commute. It’s a good idea to leave a little earlier than normal and prepare for school-area delays.

2.     Watch out for children walking and biking to school. Children walking to school may not be aware of their surroundings. Drive defensively and be prepared to stop quickly.

3.     Understand Oregon’s crosswalk laws. All intersections are considered legal crosswalks - whether marked or unmarked. Drivers must come to a complete stop and stay stopped until the pedestrian has cleared both lanes.

4.     Obey crossing guards. Crossing guards are there to protect children. By law, drivers must stop - and remain stopped - when a guard signals that students are entering or about to enter the crosswalk.

5.     Stop for school buses. Millions of children across the nation ride on a school bus every day – that’s why school bus safety is important in every community. People driving must stop for a school bus when its red lights are flashing, even if it is on the other side of the street (unless there is a median or barrier dividing the opposing lanes of traffic).

6.     Follow posted speed limits and watch for school zones. The speed limit in school zones is 20 mph statewide. School speed zones are signed either "7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days" or as zones with actuated flashing lights and warning signs.

7.     Plan a safe and fun walk, bike, or skate to school:

• Map a safe route to school. Select lower-traffic streets for your child’s walk or ride to school when possible (see SRTS resources below).
• When walking cross the street at intersections or marked crosswalks, not mid-block. If there is a signal, wait for the walk signal or green light. Before crossing, make eye contact with people driving to ensure they see you.
• When biking, know and follow the rules of the road. Under most circumstances, people biking must obey the same rules of the road as people driving. Always bike in the same direction as traffic and ride in the bike lane or as far to the right as is safe.
• When riding the bus always cross the street in front of the bus, not behind it.

For more safety tips, walking and biking resources, or to map out a safer school commute, visit Springfield Safe Routes to School (SRTS) at https://www.eugenespringfieldsrts.org/.