Crime & Safety
Student Safety Tips for Back-to-School Walks
As South Gate students begin the school year there are off of tips that they can follow for a safer year.
From 1998 to 2008, 149 pedestrians younger than 19 died in school transportation-related crashes at the national level. Over two-thirds (69%) were killed by school buses, 7% by vehicles functioning as school buses, and 24% by other vehicles involved in the crashes, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.
Nearly half (47%) of all school-age pedestrians killed in school transportation-related crashes were between the ages of 5 and 7 years old.
Find out what's happening in South Gate-Lynwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
As thousands of South Gate students return or start school, law enforcement would like to remind residents that normal commuter traffic will not necessarily adapt to large numbers of children returning to the streets.
Here are some tips offered by law enforcement agencies:
Find out what's happening in South Gate-Lynwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
By Walking — Crossing the Street
1. Walk to school with a group of kids and always have a responsible adult walk with you.
2. Always walk on the sidewalk if one is available.
3. If no sidewalk is available, walk facing the traffic.
4. The safest place to cross is at a street corner or intersection.
5. If you are 10 years old or younger, you need to cross the street
with an adult. You should not cross by yourself. Ask an adult to
explain to you who can help you cross the street.
6. Before you step off the curb to cross the street, stop and look left,
look right, and look left again to see if cars are coming.
7. When no cars are coming, it is safe for you and an adult to cross. But look left-right-left as you do it, and hold the adult’s hand.
8. Always walk when crossing the street. Never run across the street to catch a ball or chase a toy, a friend, or a pet. Darting out in front of a parked car is dangerous. The driver of the car coming down the street can’t see you
9. Cross at corners and use crosswalks whenever possible; always stay within the lines of the crosswalk.
10. Never go for a walk with a stranger. Only walk with someone who your parents say is okay.
Keep up with South Gate Patch Latino by subscribing to breaking news alerts, liking us on Facebook and following us on Twitter. Have an event or announcement you'd like to publicize? Submit them for free.