School's In!

The signs that say "No turn on red 7 a.m.–4 p.m. except school days" are once again in effect, as Cincinnati Public Schools and other local districts kick off the new school year this week. To help get us all back into the "school" frame of mind, the Teachers Insurance Plan offers some helpful reminders.

Tips for parents and drivers:

* Stay focused on driving and don’t be distracted by kids in the car or with other activities. (Translation: Hang up the phone and drive! Stop text messaging! Watching TV is done in the comfort of your own home, not while sitting in the driver’s seat!)

* Slow down in school zones. Driving just 5 miles per hour over the speed limit increases both the risk of hitting a child and the severity of any injuries. (Translation: No matter how late you are or how important you think your stuff is, imagine what can happen to those priorities when watching a human being bounce off the hood of your car.)

* You never know if children crossing the street are paying attention, so remain stopped until the child has crossed not only your lane of traffic, but the adjacent lane as well. (Translation: Remember how fast a kid can move. If she drops something in the middle of the crosswalk she’s going to move faster to retrieve it than you are going to realize she’s no longer walking forward.)

* Do not pass a school but when its red lights are flashing even if it is on the other side of the street. (Translation: See above note about a kid bouncing off your car — the ticket you’ll pay for breaking that law pales in comparison. And yes, it is illegal to pass a school but when those red lights are flashing.)

Tips for walking or biking to school

* Walk with a friend. (Also: Do not get into the car of anyone who offers a ride — even if you know them, it’s raining or a friend says it’s OK. If you parents think you are walking to school, then walk.)

* Make sure drivers see you by making eye contact with them. (Also: If you see the eyes of the driver then the driver is going to see you. If the driver looks like he isn’t paying attention, then be safe and wait until he has passed. Wait for the crossing next light.)

* Cross only at crosswalks, and never run into the street form between parked cars. (Also: It is better to be late than hit by a car. Tell you principal or teacher the reason for your delay — having to walk to a crosswalk or drivers who are not stopping so that you can safely cross. They can only help address the situation if they know what’s going on. And you could help keep other kids safe by getting the help of adults.)

For more diver and passenger safety tips, visit www.teachers.com/safety.

— Margo Pierce

(Photo: Active|Rain)