West PDX Today

Hillsboro schools are out for the summer. Let the fun begin! As you are driving around town to run errands or go to work, be aware of your changing surroundings. Remember to use extra caution during these next few summer months. Drivers should expect more foot and bike traffic throughout the day and evenings as community members are outside enjoying the summer weather. Some driving safety tips to consider year round, especially during summer months, include:

• Slow down and be alert in residential neighborhoods.
• Watch for children on and near the roads. Clues, such as a toys in the road or on the sidewalk, may mean kids are playing nearby.
• Pay attention and anticipate the unexpected.
• Check for children or pets before backing up. Walk around your vehicle to make sure no kids or pets are behind it.
• Remember that children move in unpredictable ways – be alert.
• Put down the phone so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings

Parents are also encouraged to talk to their children about making safe walking and bicycling choices, especially if they will be traveling without an adult. Some safety tips for parents talking to their children, include:

Pedestrian tips

• Remind your child to stop at the edge of the curb and look left then right and then left again to check for traffic. If there is a car, tell your child to remain on the curb until the car is completely stopped.
• Teach your child to cross at the corner or at a crosswalk so that drivers can more easily see them waiting to cross.
• Help your child remember that if a street does not have a sidewalk, they should walk against traffic so that they can see drivers traveling towards them.
• Encourage your child to put away their headphones and cellphones so that they look and listen to their surroundings while they are traveling.

Bicyclist tips

• Teach your child to wear a helmet whenever they are on wheels (this includes a bike, skateboard, or scooter). Oregon law requires children under 16 years of age to wear a helmet. Wearing a helmet is the single most effective step to reduce head injuries and fatalities resulting from bike crashes.
• Explain to your child that it is important that they ride their bike in a straight line and follow the rules of the road.
• If they are riding in the street, it is also important that they ride in the same direction as traffic. If they are riding on the sidewalk or in a crosswalk, they should follow pedestrian laws and ride at walking speed or walk their bike.
• Encourage your child to put away their headphones and cellphones so that they look and listen to their surroundings while they are traveling.

Visit Hillsboro's Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program page to learn more about how we work with the Hillsboro School District to create safe, convenient, and fun ways for youth to walk and roll (bike, scooter, skateboard, or ride the bus) to and from school in our community.

Original source can be found here