Encinitas Sheriff's Dept. Provides Back-to-School Safety Tips

Is it back-to-school time already? Yes! Most schools in Encinitas begin the 2013-14 year in August.

First and foremost, we urge you to drive slowly and carefully in school zones.

Share the Road Safely with Child Pedestrians Children

Due to their small stature and unpredictability, are especially vulnerable to vehicle-pedestrian collisions. Generally, pedestrians have the right-of-way at all intersections; in all situations, drivers are obligated to exercise extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians. Even if you have the right-of way, do not honk your horn, rev your engine or do anything to rush or scare a child walking in front of your car. Never block a portion of a crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn. Blocking the crosswalk forces children to go around your vehicle and puts them in a dangerous situation. In a school zone when a warning flasher or flashers are blinking, you must stop to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk. Always stop when directed to do so by a school patrol sign, school patrol officer or designated crossing guard.

Share the Road Safely with Child Bicyclists

Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other roadway users and often share the same lane, but bicycles can be hard to see. Children riding bicycles create special problems for drivers because they may not be capable of proper judgment in determining traffic conditions. Watch for child bicyclists who turn in front of you without looking or signaling. Take extra precautions in school zones and neighborhood areas where kids might be riding. Watch out for bikes coming out of driveways, behind parked cars or other obstructions. Check side mirrors for bicyclists before opening the door. 

–City of Encinitas