Earlier in my career, I had the horrible experience of teaching in a school where a 5-year-old child was hit and killed by a car. Our entire community was devastated by this tragedy, and I have never forgotten it. Research shows that 50% of children hit by cars near schools are struck by parents of other students.
Recently, we have noticed an increase in adults letting children out of their vehicles in the middle of the street. The children must then run around the vehicles to get to a sidewalk. In addition, people are still parking in loading zones, not using designated drop-off areas, ignoring speed limits, and cutting off bicycle riders! To control these dangerous practices, we've asked the Mill Valley Police Department for help. You may see officers patrolling our parking lot and crosswalks.
I URGE YOU - PLEASE PRACTICE SAFE, FOCUSED, RESPONSIBLE DRIVING! Here are some guidelines we should all follow when driving, walking or biking to school:
Drivers
- Stop and look for pedestrians crossing the stree Expect the unexpected - be prepared to stop suddenly!
- Drive at or under the speed limit, especially in our school zone.
- Look for pedestrians when pulling out of driveways or driving around parked cars.
- Use our car-line for drop off and pick up--it doesn't take long!
- Be especially watchful for families and children on bikes on Lomita. The sidewalk is uneven and narrow, often forcing cyclists into the road.
- Check your side mirrors for pedestrians or bikes when you are avoiding oncoming traffic due to the narrow road.
- Stay off your phone--no call is that important!
- Remember -- your vehicle is a deadly weapon when it comes in contact with a human body or animal.
Pedestrians and Cyclists
- Use crosswalks and obey the crossing guard
- Dismount from your bike in crosswalks
- Don't cross a road between parked cars
- Wait for the "walk" signal when crossing a street with traffic lights.
- Talk to your child about traffic rules; model behavior you want him to practice
- Walk alert! Never assume a driver can see you.
Our car-line program also plays an important role in helping to make our school safer. We rely on volunteers from each classroom to keep it running smoothly, and to help kids get in and out of their cars each morning and afternoon. Please check the schedule and pitch in to help when possible! Click here to see the calendar.
Finally, I want to thank Safe Routes to School of Marin and the Mill Valley Police Department for their time, support and guidance. For more information, go to www.dhs.ca.gov/routes2school or http://www.saferoutestoschools.org.
Sincerely,
Lisa Zimmer
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Posted by Dorothy Odonnell on March 5
