Traffic Safety Information For the Community

TRAFFIC SAFETY INFORMATION FOR THE COMMUNITY

 Piedmont is not accustomed to having school buses travel and stop on its streets.  For this reason, a review of important information about school bus and traffic safety may be useful.  

At the request of the School District, the Police Department and KCOM recently created a Public Service Announcement (PSA) on this subject.  KCOM started broadcasting the PSA in early August and will continue to do so through the end of September.  KCOM is also featuring school bus and traffic safety information on its reader board in between programming.  You can view the PSA at:  

https://pusdbond.org/faq/transportation-faq.html

https://pusdbond.org/faq/transportation-faq/safety.html

What follows is information adapted from the California State Automobile Association.  For more information see www.csaa.com or the AAA Traffic Safety Catalog at www.aaa.com/trafficsafety. 

 

§   Stop for school buses that are loading and unloading students.  It is unlawful and unsafe to pass a school bus.  

  • School buses flash yellow lights when preparing to stop to let children on or off the bus.The yellow flashing lights warn you to slow down and prepare to stop.
  • School buses flash red lights when loading or unloading children.  The red flashing lights indicate that you must stop whether you are traveling in the same or opposite direction as the bus.  You must remain stopped until the lights stop flashing.  

§   Drive at a safe speed.  

  • Posted speed limits are based on ideal driving conditions.  Driving faster than the posted speed limit, or driving faster than is safe for current conditions, is both dangerous and illegal. 
  • You must drive slower than the posted speed limit when there is heavy traffic, bad weather or limited visibility.
  • You must also drive slower around children.  Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is 25 mph within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street. 

§   Come to a full stop at all intersections.  

  • Some drivers become so comfortable with the routes they drive to and from home and around their community that they become complacent about stop signs — slowing down but failing to come to a complete stop. A complete stop means that none of the wheels are in motion. Failure to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, traffic light or crosswalk is unlawful and unsafe.  

§   Respect the right-of-way of pedestrians.  

  • Pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks. 

                  Most crosswalks are located at corners.  However, crosswalks may be located in the middle of the block as well.  

                  Crosswalks at busy intersections are typically marked with white lines, and crosswalks near a school are typically marked with yellow lines.  However, crosswalks in residential areas are usually not marked.

  • Before turning a corner, watch for people entering or about to enter the crosswalk.  
  • Do not pass a car from behind that is stopped at a crosswalk.A pedestrian you can”’t see may be crossing the street.
  • Do not stop in a crosswalk.This may create a dangerous situation for pedestrians.
  • Allow older and younger pedestrians more time to cross the street.

 §   Use signals, headlights and horns appropriately. 

  • Use headlights after dusk and before sunrise.
  • Use headlights whenever driving conditions require the use of windshield wipers.
  • Use headlights whenever weather conditions limit visibility to less than 1,000 feet. 
  • Use low-beam headlights at all times whenever driving on dark or overcast days.
  • Do not honk your horn unless it is a safety warning. 

 §   Be alert and watch for children.  

  • Do not use a cellular phone without a hands-free device. 
  • Do not wear a headset over, or earplugs in, both your ears.
  • Do not drive a vehicle equipped with a video monitor if the monitor is visible to the driver and displays anything other than vehicle or mapping information.
  • Do not drive a vehicle if you cannot see ahead or to the sides of your vehicle.
  • Always drive more carefully near schools, playgrounds, parks, and bus stops because children may suddenly dart into the street.

Obeying traffic laws and rules, together with courtesy and common sense, help promote traffic safety for all.