ORLEANS — As summer draws to a close and students prepare to head back to the classroom, Orleans Town Marshal James C. Lindsey is reminding parents, students, and motorists to review essential traffic and personal safety rules to ensure a smooth, injury-free school year.
The safety advisory highlights crucial precautions for children traveling to school by foot, bicycle, bus, or car, while also issuing a specific reminder regarding new traffic controls along State Road 37.
State Road 37 Traffic Update
Local motorists are urged to pay close attention to recent traffic adjustments along the town’s main corridor:
State Road 37 features new posted speed limit signs and a newly designated school zone to accommodate high school traffic. Police advise all drivers to familiarize themselves with the updated speed limits and obey all posted signage to protect students and staff during peak commute hours.
Transportation Safety Guidelines
Marshal Lindsey and the Orleans Police Department recommend that parents review and practice the following safety rules with their children based on how they commute:
Walkers
- Walk on sidewalks whenever available. When walking on streets without sidewalks, always walk facing oncoming traffic.
- Before crossing streets, stop and look left, right, and left again. Always cross at marked crosswalks or intersections and make direct eye contact with drivers before stepping off the curb.
- Avoid distracted walking, such as looking at mobile devices or using headphones.
Bicycle Riders
- Ride on the right side of the road, moving in the same direction as traffic, in a single file.
- Come to a complete stop before crossing intersections, and dismount to walk bicycles across the street.
- Always wear a properly fitted helmet and bright, visible clothing.
Bus Riders
- Accompany young children to the bus stop and teach them to stand at least 6 feet (three giant steps) back from the curb while waiting.
- If crossing in front of the bus is necessary, teach children to walk along the side of the road until they are 10 feet ahead of the bus before crossing, ensuring the driver can see them clearly at all times.
Drop-Offs & Driver Safety
- Obey school zone speed limits and adhere strictly to designated school drop-off and pick-up procedures.
- Never pass a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing to load or unload children. Maintain a safe distance, as the 10-foot area surrounding a school bus poses the highest risk for pedestrian accidents.
- Parents of teen drivers are encouraged to practice weekly driving sessions before and after licensure and consider signing a formal driving agreement to establish clear safety expectations.
Classroom & Playground Safety Tip Sheet
Beyond traffic considerations, police emphasize preventing preventable injuries on school grounds:
- Backpack Ergonomics: Choose a backpack with supportive, ergonomic features. Encourage children to use both shoulder straps to distribute weight evenly, and ensure the pack weighs no more than 5% to 10% of their body weight. Exercise caution with rolling backpacks, as they can present tripping hazards in crowded hallways.
- Playground Rules: To reduce strangulation hazards on playground equipment, ensure children leave necklaces and jackets with drawstrings at home.
- Sports Safety: While minor bumps and bruises are common during physical activities, head injuries and potential concussions should never be ignored and require immediate medical evaluation.
“Let’s keep it safe for all who travel our roadways,” stated Marshal Lindsey.
