Back to School Safety Tips From the Fair Haven Police Department

After a couple months of summer, the busses are back on the roads, kids are walking down the street with their back packs and school has .

This extra car and foot traffic means that residents need to take certain precautions for their safety. In addition to heightened awareness, residents should be aware that many roads now have reduced speed limits and some roads will even be closed.

Check out the list below to learn some back to school safety tips from Sgt. Robert Townshend at the :

• When walking to school, children should walk on the sidewalk, obey all crossing guard directions, and be alert when crossing uncontrolled intersections. 
• Children riding their bikes should ride single file on the right side of the road, be sure to wear a helmet, obey all crossing guards, and be alert for vehicles on the road.
• Drivers should use caution in school zones, especially during entrance and dismissal times, pay attention to crossing guard directions, and come to a complete stop when a school bus has its stop lights activated. Drivers also need to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.  
• Parents dropping off or picking up their kids should obey all traffic laws around the schools, including and especially parking regulations, be alert for children getting in and out of vehicles, and children riding bicycles.  Parents also need to plan for extra drop off/pick up time when there is inclement weather.    
• Third St in Fair Haven is closed between Hance Rd and Fair Haven Rd from 7:30am to 8:30am and 2:30pm to 3:30pm.  Drivers are urged to use alternate routes as this will be strictly enforced. 
• The speed limit on many side streets in Fair Haven were recently reduced to 20mph.  These include Third St, Maple Av, Church St, Cedar Av, Willow St, McCarter Av, and Hendrickson Pl.  Drivers should be sure to obey all signage. 
• Another recently enacted ordinance states there is no left turn out of Sportsman’s Field Lot on Hance Rd by during entrance and dismissal times.