MPD offers back-to-school safety tips for kids, adults

Proper use of seat belts. No texting.

Maricopa Police Officer Donald Neri said these are the two most important safety tips adults and children need to follow as thousands of students head back to school Monday.

Neri, who is the department’s new school resource officer at Maricopa High School, said his No. 1 concern is seat belts because some people too often strap in children who are wearing their backpacks.

“With people trying to expedite kids getting into and out of the car quickly they don’t realize that when they add the backpack to the equation they throw off the dimensions of what the manufacturer designed for safety,” he said.

Texting and driving come in No. 2 for Neri. “Especially when driving into school zones where there are more pedestrians. That second of distraction can be the second a child steps off the curb.”

Neri will speak at this month’s Coffee with the Chief 8 a.m. Aug. 10 at the M.A.S.H. Coalition office, 20046 N. John Wayne Parkway, Suite 101.

In the meantime, MPD has issued these suggestions and tips for keeping students safe:

Walking to and from school:

In neighborhoods with higher levels of traffic, consider starting a “walking school bus,” in which an adult accompanies a group of neighborhood children walking to school. Make sure your child's walk to a school is a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards at every intersection.

Be realistic about your child's pedestrian skills. Because small children are impulsive and less cautious around traffic, carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school without adult supervision. If your child is young or is walking to a new school, walk with them the first week to make sure they know the route and can do it safely. Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.

Bike:

• Always wear a bicycle helmet, no matter how short or long the ride.
• Ride on the right, in the same direction as traffic.
• Use appropriate hand signals.
• Respect traffic lights and stop signs.
• Wear bright color clothing to increase visibility.
• Know the “rules of the road.”
• Remember to always walk your bike in pedestrian crosswalks .

Tips for motorists:

All passengers should wear a seat belt and/or an age- and size-appropriate car safety seat or booster seat.

• Do not text or talk on your cell phone while driving.
• Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits.
• Be alert for school zones that have a reduced speed limit at designated times of the day.
• Watch for school buses. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm indicate the school bus is stopping to load or unload children. State law requires you to stop.
• Keep an eye out for children walking in the street, especially where there are no sidewalks.
• Be alert for children playing and gathering near bus stops and for those who may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
• When driving in neighborhoods or school zones, watch for young people who may be in a hurry to get to or away from school and may not be thinking about getting there safely.

Tips for parents:

Supervise young children as they are walking or biking to school or as they wait at the school bus stop.

If your child is younger than 5, make sure the child is properly buckled up in a weight-appropriate child safety seat in the back seat. Children, ages 5 to 8 and measuring 4 ft. 9 in. or less should ride in a booster seat. In addition, safety experts advise all children younger than 12 should ride in the back seat.

Make sure that your teen driver understands and obeys all traffic laws. Discourage them from texting or talking on a cell phone while driving.