Safety Tips for Walking, Biking, and Rolling to School

Tips for Students Walking to School or the Bus Stop

• Choose the safest route from your home to the school.
• Select a route that is most direct and has intersections with crosswalks when possible.
• Leave on time for school and/or in plenty of time to arrive at school or the bus stop.
• Stay on the sidewalk and be aware of traffic in the area.
• If there is no sidewalk, walk and stand facing traffic.
• When near the street, don’t push, shove, or chase other students.
• Students should not wear headphones or text while walking, as they may not hear the sounds of oncoming traffic.
• Cross the street safely:
• Stop at the curb or edge of the street.
  • Look left, right, left and behind you and in front of you for traffic.
  • Wait until no traffic is coming and then begin crossing.
  • Keep looking for traffic until you have finished crossing.
  • Walk, don’t run across the street.
  • Obey traffic signs, signals and school crossing guards.
  • Cross roads in crosswalks instead of making mid-block crossings.
• Be aware of drivers in parked cars that may be ready to move.
• Look for cars that may be entering or exiting driveways or alleyways.
• Do not enter the street from between parked cars or from behind bushes or shrubbery.
• Be extra alert in bad weather.
• Wear bright colors so that motorists can easily see you.
• Wait for the school bus at least 10 feet from the road and further away if the weather is bad.
• Never accept a ride from people not arranged or approved by your parents.
• Develop a buddy system and always walk in groups of at least two or three.
• If possible, an adult or older student should walk with young children.
• Students should not take shortcuts or cut through alleys, private property or across vacant lots.
• Students should immediately report anyone suspicious to an adult – a parent, school personnel or the school resource officer.

RESOURCES:

Arlington Police Department Transportation Safety

Pedistrian SafetyBicycle SafetyTrail Safety

Arlington County Commuter Services (ACCS)

be a PAL – Predictable | Alert | Lawful

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments

Street Smart – Public Education Campaign

Using the Crosswalks