Back to School Safety Tips from District 65 and the City of Evanston
The City of Evanston is teaming up with District 65 to continue to encourage students and parents to follow safety precautions when going to or from school. On the first day of school (Tuesday, September 4), the Evanston Fire Department will be greeting walkers and providing safety information stickers. Below are some safety points for walking, biking and driving to and from school. Remember, the School Speed Limit is 20 mph and drivers must stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Safety Points for School
Walking or Biking:
1. Use the school walk routes. The routes can be accessed at: http://www.district65.net/departments/transportation/Walk_Routes/
2. Do not walk on the streets.
3. Always cross the streets at the designated crossing locations and where crossing guards are present.
4. Obey the school crossing guards.
5. Look left and right and then left before stepping out onto the street to cross.
6. Consider a walking school bus or bike-train. Parents share the responsibility of walking or biking with the children in the neighborhood by picking them up and dropping them off along the walk route.
Driving:
1. Follow the School Speed Limit 20 mph regulations.
2. Respect the arrival and dismissal time street circulation plan for your school. Do not go the wrong way or make u-turns.
3. Drop your child on the curbside adjacent to the school so that they don’t have to cross the street.
4. Do not double park and block vehicle access.
5. Do not park on crosswalks or at No Parking zones.
6. Consider parking a block or two from school and then walking when dropping off and pick up your child.
7. Do not use your cell phone while driving.
The City’s Public Works Department will install the LED blinker school signs at some of designated crossings without traffic signals or stop signs. These signs are solar powered and push button activated. To draw the driver’s attention to the crossing, the pedestrian needs to push the button to activate the LED lights. The pedestrian should start crossing the street once the driver comes to a stop.
The City also will paint a safety marker similar to the image above on the pavement at each designated school route crossing. Students should cross at these locations. The Fire & Life-Safety Services Department will be handing out stickers of the safety marker to students at some of the school crossing locations on the first day of school.
Printable flyer here>>>