Edmonds School District and Lynnwood Police Team Up for School Traffic-Safety Tips

Classes begin Wednesday for students in the Edmonds School District, and the district and the Lynnwood Police Department want to remind drivers to slow down and be on the lookout for students coming and going from school.

The speed limit in a school zone is 20 mph when lights are flashing. Driver should also make sure to stop for all pedestrians at crosswalks.

Here are some pedestrian and bicycle safety tips for parents

• Before school begins on Sept. 7, walk the routes your children will walk or bike to school to point out potential dangers and safe havens if they need help.

• Teach your children to be wary of strangers and to report any suspicious contacts to 911 or a trusted adult. It’s never ok to accept a ride without parent’s permission—even from people who they know.

• Since there is safety in numbers, urge your children to walk or bike with a buddy.

• Insist that your children wear bike helmets and teach them the bicycle rules of the road.

• Make sure your child’s bike is safe. Check the brakes, reflectors, and chain guard or take it to a bike shop for a checkup.

• Encourage your children to be highly visible by wearing bright, light-colored clothing.

• Urge your children to walk against traffic and ride bikes with the traffic whenever possible.
• Teach your children to cross streets only at marked crosswalks and to watch for turning vehicles. They should make eye contact with drivers before stepping out and look both ways.

• It’s not safe to wear headphones because you may be unable to hear approaching vehicles.

• Children younger than 10 should cross the street with an adult or older child.

• Teach children to look around parked cars or other objects blocking their view before they cross the street.

Parents are encouraged to work together to form a “walking school bus” for their children. It’s a group of children walking to school accompanied by one or more adults.

For more information on Walking School Bus, contact the ESD director of transportation Craig Christensen at 425-431-7233. For help in finding the best route to walk or bike, call Tracie Chandler at 425-431-1400. For additional safety tips, call the Lynnwood Police Crime Prevention Section at 425-670-5635.