South Orange police remind motorists to be cautious as schools reopen

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ __ The South Orange Police Department has a simple message for motorists as the new school year begins: Be safe. Be smart.

Students in the South Orange-Maplewood School District report back to class on Sept. 5, which will mean many vehicles on the road, including school buses, and children walking to class.

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SOPD sent out a reminder with a series of tips for motorists to get ready:

• NEVER pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks.
• Pay attention to school crossing guards.
• Use designated student drop-off and pick-up zones
• Eliminate distractions
• Watch for children
• Obey school zone speed limits
• Do NOT pass a bus loading or unloading children

The National Safety Council also recommends drivers make eye contact with children who are crossing the street. And they warn motorists to be alert because children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks.

The NSC recommends families talk about safety with their kids. Here are some tips:

• For walkers, the NSC recommends students walk on sidewalks, where possible, and when crossing, look left, right and left again and make eye contact with drivers.
• For children riding the bus, stand six feet away from the curb, and if they must cross in front of the bus, walk until they are 10 feet ahead before crossing.

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