As part of our “Be the Change, Travel Safe in La Grange” traffic safety campaign, we would like to remind the public that this week and the following week marks the return to school for some elementary and middle school students in La Grange. While some students may be attending school online, others will be attending in-person. Traffic and Pedestrian safety is a priority for the Village – please drive safely and be aware of your surroundings.
Motorists:
- Pay attention to what is going on around you
- If you are dropping off - schools often have very specific drop-off procedures for the school year. Make sure you know the procedures. The following applies to all school zones:
- Don't double park; it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles
- Don't load or unload children across the street from the school (drop off at the curb)
- Carpool or walk to reduce the number of vehicles at the school
- Please obey crossing guard commands.
- Cell phone usage is prohibited while driving on a roadway within a school speed zone, including hands-free devices.
- Yield to ALL pedestrians.
- Do not block pedestrian crosswalks at any time.
- The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus.
- Obey school zone speed limits – new electronic flashing school signage was installed on Ogden Avenue last fall reminding motorists to obey the speed limit and remain alert during peak school crossing times.
- Students may be walking or biking during non-traditional school starting and ending times.
Pedestrians / Bicyclists:
- Do not assume a vehicle sees you.
- Make eye contact and use hand signals to communicate with a vehicle’s driver.
- Use crosswalks even if they are further down the street from where you intend to cross.
- Do not use your phone while crossing a street.
- Use pedestrian crossing buttons to activate the “walk” signal at intersections. Cross the street only when you see the “walk” signal.
- Pay attention to the crossing guard when using an intersection staffed by a crossing guard.
- Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, and in a single file.
- Come to a complete stop before crossing the street; walk bikes across the street.
- Stay alert and avoid distracted riding.
- Make sure your child always wears a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing.
Walkers:
- Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available; when on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic.
- Before you cross the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming.
- Make eye contact with drivers before crossing and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections.
- Stay alert and avoid distracted walking.
Bus riders:
- Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus.
- Teach your children to stand 6 feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb.
- If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach him or her to walk on the side of the road until they are 10 feet ahead of the bus; your child and the bus driver should always be able to see each other.
For those with young children at home, we ask that you please share this information with them too. Safety requires a collaborative effort and we appreciate your help as we start the new school year.
“Be the change, travel safe in La Grange!” For more information regarding the pedestrian safety campaign as well as motorist and pedestrian safety tips, please visit the Village’s website at www.lagrangeil.gov.