Pedestrian & Bus Safety
Pedestrian Safety
As the weather improves, more of our students are walking and biking to school. Please remember these safety tips and share them with your students:
Crosswalk Safety:
- Walk up to the crossing.
- Stop, look, listen, think.
- Wait to ensure cars have stopped before stepping off the curb and crossing.
- Keep looking and listening while crossing.
- Do not run, ride, or skate across.
Walking Safety:
- Look both ways before entering the street.
- Use the signals. Traffic signals are there to help pedestrians communicate with drivers. Utilize the crosswalks at intersections and follow the walk indicators.
- Be visible. In the dark, wear light-colored clothing and reflective gear to ensure your visibility.
Tips for Drivers:
- Look out for the advanced warning crossing signs.
- Be prepared to stop.
- Remain stationary until all pedestrians are safely out of the crosswalk.
- Center turn lanes are not to be used for passing lanes.
- DO NOT overtake any other vehicles stopped at the pedestrian crossing.
- Look for clues such as safety patrols, crossing guards, bicycles, and playgrounds, that indicate children might be in the area.
Bus Safety:
OPS Bus Rules and Safety
For Drivers:
- When overhead lights are flashing yellow: prepare to stop.
- When overhead lights are flashing red: stop.
- When hazard warning lights are flashing: proceed with caution.
- Stop at least 20 feet away from buses when red lights are flashing, unless you are driving in the opposite direction on a divided highway.
- Slow down in or near school and residential areas.
- Watch for children between parked cars and other objects.
- Be aware of students exiting the bus and crossing the street.
For Students:
- Always stay in sight of the bus driver.
- Don't hurry off the bus. Check traffic first.
- Don't go back to the bus after exiting.
- Make sure all traffic is stopped if you have to cross the street.
- Do not proceed into the road until all cars have come to a complete stop.
Bike Safety
VIDEO: Bike Smarts - Learn about the joys of biking!
In partnership with Tim Potter, of MSU Bikes, David Pruden, Kinawa Teacher, and OHS, students have produced a series of educational, informative (captioned) videos for our students use while they are at home.
Actor: Francis, Cornell Elementary student
Videographer: Aubrey, MSU Bike's Service Manager & Francis' father