The city’s streets and neighborhoods will be filled with kids going back to school so Elgin police are reminding motorists to drive safely.
Elgin police department has three tips for motorists for Back to School season:
Watch for pedestrians crossing
Handheld cell phone use is not permitted when driving.
Obey traffic signals, signs and crossing guards.
AAA’s annual School’s Open — Drive Carefully campaign has other advice for drivers that can help children be safe.
According to AAA, two-thirds of motorists exceeded the posted speed limit during the 30 minutes before and after school. The statistic came from a national observation study, the AAA stated. Motorists should slow down and follow posted speed limits.
Nearly 40 percent of child pedestrian fatalities occurred between 4 and 8 p.m. as children dart between cars in the roadway, AAA said. Drivers should be alert and scan between parked cars, it stated.
Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm on a school bus means children are getting on and off so drivers must stop and wait until the stop arm is withdrawn, the AAA said.
Elgin School District U-46 students returned to school Monday while Community School District 300’s first day back from summer vacation is Tuesday. Some parochial schools start next week.
