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Vice Mayor Greg Stanton's
North Central News Column
August 2003
Go back to school safely
It's back to school time again! As the chair of the city council's education subcommittee, it is my job to help ensure kids stay as safe as possible getting to and from school. Accordingly, it is crucial that drivers remember to pay extra attention when driving near schools.
Phoenix has a great program called the "Safest Route to School" that works with school officials and parents to develop a walk to school plan for elementary and middle school students. The purpose of the Safest Route to School Program is to prepare a student walking route based on input from parents, teachers, principals and city staff. The recommended walking plan is also used to identify any dangers along the routes, and is used to evaluate the need for school traffic control and the placement of adult crossing guards and sidewalk monitors.
The Safest Route to School Program encourages more children to walk and ride their bikes in a safe environment. It also helps to minimize the number of vehicles at schools during arrival and dismissal times and the traffic congestion that results. Active involvement of parents and school officials is critical to make the plan a success. Schools fortunate enough to already have been involved in this process are very pleased with the program.
Creighton Elementary School teacher Melissa Sedillo said, "The Safest Route has been a tool for the kids to use to do exactly that - to get to school safely. I feel that it helped the teachers and parents all come together and get themselves familiarized with the route that their kids are using, which can aid the school in other ways, not just getting them to school, but also home. If anything happens we can look at the route to see where those kids are going."
The city's Street Transportation Department will work with school administrators to identify the best way for children to arrive to school on foot. The city also conducts school safety audits, evaluating everything from traffic flow to sidewalk needs.
Walk with your children to school periodically so you know what route they are using. Additionally, Phoenix has a zero tolerance policy for speeding in school zones. If you see speeding around a school, report it by calling 602-534-SPEED.
Please pay special attention as you drive around schools. It only takes a moment for a tragedy to occur. Instruct your children to obey the instructions of crossing guards and to always use the marked crosswalks around the school, even if it means they have to walk a little farther. Remember, the safest route is not always the shortest route.
If you are interested in how your school can enhance its traffic safety or if you have questions or comments you would like to discuss with me, please feel free to call my office anytime at 602-262-7491 or send e-mail to greg.stanton@phoenix.gov.
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