Safety Tips for Parents, Children as School Starts: Sheriff

Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran is reminding Lake County residents to use extra caution while driving or walking to school.

He is also suggesting parents take the time as kids head back to school to talk about being safe when walking to the bus stop or walking to school, according to a sheriff’s office press release. Here are some safety tips:

• Walk with a group, a parent, or a friend when possible
• Walk on the sidewalk and only cross the street in crosswalks
• When crossing the street look both ways to ensure no traffic is coming from any direction
• Continuously look left and right while crossing the road to ensure no traffic is approaching while crossing
• Don’t assume someone driving a car can see you
• Wear bright colored clothing so motorists can better identify you as a pedestrian
• Never accept a ride from a stranger

Drivers are reminded to slow down when entering and driving through school zones. School zones in Illinois require drivers travel at 20 mph or slower.

Sheriff’s Highway Patrol Deputies are monitoring school safety zone areas and targeting drivers violating speed limits, illegally passing stopped school buses, and violating cell phone restrictions.

Additionally, drivers should be extra watchful this time of year and yield for children (or any pedestrian) crossing the road, according to the news release.