Napa Police Department Supports National Walk And Roll To School Day

NAPA, CA — The Napa Police Department encourages parents and students to join their classmates and walk, bike, or roll to class Wednesday, Oct. 12.

To help keep students safe during Walk and Roll to School Day, the Napa Police Department will support the Napa County Bicycle Coalition and the Napa County Safe Routes to Schools program by assigning officers to high-traffic crossings in the city of Napa, the Napa Police Department said in a news release.

Walk and Roll to School Day is celebrated annually to highlight the benefits of exercise and practice pedestrian and road safety with other students, families and caregivers.

“Walking to school is a great way to exercise on a daily basis and feel comfortable getting to and from school safely,” Napa police Sgt. Aaron Medina said. “We hope this is a fun, rewarding experience for students and members of the community that shows how important it is for everyone to be safe walking, biking or rolling.”

The Napa Police Department offered tips for students who walk, bike, or roll to school:

• Plan your route on roads with sidewalks or paths away from traffic. If there are no sidewalks, walk or ride as far from cars as possible, facing traffic.
• Use crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals. If there are unmarked crosswalks, cross at corners on streets with fewer lanes and lower speed limits.
• Always look left-right-left before crossing the street. Continue to scan for traffic as you cross the street.
• Watch for cars entering/leaving driveways or parking spaces.
• Always wear a helmet when riding or rolling.

Police said drivers should be extra careful and anticipate more foot and bike traffic the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 12, as well as be prepared to stop for school buses and children crossing the street. Drivers should always watch their speed and slow down in school zones, police said.