Bradenton Fire Department Reminds Drivers to Slow Down in School Zones

If you see a fire truck in front of your child's school today, don't be alarmed. The Bradenton Fire Department will have trucks parked at seven of the city's schools with their lights on and sporting banners.

Firefighters will welcome students back to school, while banners on the trucks will warn drivers to slow down in school zones and to be on the lookout for students on their way to school. Look for the trucks from about 8:00 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. this morning.

This is the first year that the city's fire department has organized such an event. And the fire department is not alone in this effort. Because the city's budget has been so tight, local businesses and community partnerships paid for the banners. 

The fire department plans to continue the event at schools in the city next year.  The presence of emergency vehicles near school zones on busy roadways is a clear reminder to drivers to slow down and be cautious of pedestrians.

Florida is known for high rates of accidents involving pedestrians and bicyclists. The CDC reports that on average 324 people a day are treated in emergency rooms across the country for pedestrian-related injuries.

Children are at a greater risk because of their size and their inability to
judge distances and speeds and their overall inexperience with traffic rules.

Safety information for children and drivers can be found at "Back to School Safety" in the "Safety Spotlight" section at www.safekids.org.

Look for the at the following schools:

, staging near 9th Avenue West and 18th Street West.
, staging near 6th Avenue East and 17th Street East;
staging near Manatee Avenue West and 43rd Street West;
staging near 13th Avenue West and 6th Street West;
, staging near 27th Street East and 18th Avenue East;
and ,  staging near 59th Street West and 38th Avenue West.