POINTERS FROM THE POLICE

Lynn Police Department
5 hrs ·
ADVICE TO PARENTS FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR
A new school year is upon us and the Lynn Police Department would like to take this opportunity to advise parents and guardians to take the time to review personal safety with their children and teach them to obey all road safety rules:
• Use crosswalks especially those manned by crossing guards or equipped with pedestrian lights. Otherwise go to the nearest intersection in order to cross the street;
• Walk on the sidewalk;
• Observe the traffic;
• Make sure you are seen before crossing;
• Show your children how to look left, right and left again before walking across the street;
• Establish eye contact with drivers to make sure they see you;
• At intersections controlled by traffic lights, obey the pedestrian lights; if there are traffic lights only, you have the right of way at the green light;
• You could also teach them how to obey authority figures such as policemen, firefighters and school crossing guards.
For commuters, it would be advisable to allow for extra time when leaving for work in the morning. Many students will be walking to school, and drivers should anticipate the unexpected. Please consider the possibility that a young child may unexpectedly step out in front of your vehicle. This could help avoid an accident.
Officers from our Patrol Division will be increasing their visibility and proactive patrols in the areas of the schools. The following is a sampling of some of the traffic offenses officers will be targeting: speeding in school zones, illegal passing of school buses, failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, and other violations which create safety concerns.
Additionally, parents dropping off and picking up children should avoid double parking and parking in crosswalks. This contributes to traffic gridlock and creates a dangerous situation for pedestrians. Officers will be enforcing these parking violations as well. When driving please anticipate the unexpected and be safe. We hope this information contributes to a safe school year.