LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – As the school year opens the Clear Lake Area California Highway Patrol is reminding drivers to be safe especially in school zones, around school buses, and always watch for children as they walk or ride their bicycles near the roadways.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are 26,000 school bus related collisions per year and more than 9,500 children that are injured nationally.

Additionally, 23,000 children are injured and 250 killed every year walking or cycling to school.

As the school year begins, there is an increase in traffic in around schools which can cause a tragic event. This is something the CHP is trying to prevent.

“We still receive several complaints a week which involve drivers not stopping for school buses. This is not acceptable. We need to ensure the safety of our children and that responsibility falls on everyone. If a school bus has its red lights activated, both directions of traffic must stop,” Clear Lake CHP Area Commander Lt. Greg Baarts said.

The CHP also reminds drivers to be aware of the school zone speed limits.

“When the school year starts, motorists need to remember to reduce their speed in school zones. The school zone speed limit is 25 miles per hour. Awareness of students utilizing crosswalks is also extremely important. All of us have a responsibility to pay attention to our surroundings and not allow ourselves to be distracted while we drive,” Baarts said.

Here a few traffic safety rules for drivers and tips you can share with children to keep them safe when you can’t be with them.

For drivers:

• Pedestrians always have the right of way.

• In the absence of traffic signals, drivers must always slow down or stop for pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks.

• At stop signs and when a school crossing guard is displaying an official stop sign or flag, drivers must come to a complete stop.

To share with your children:

• First and foremost, set a good example by always following the traffic safety rules yourself. Children learn by example.

• Cross in the crosswalks at the corner, not in the middle of the block. Never cross from between parked cars. Never cross an intersection diagonally.

• Children should look to see that drivers are aware of them. Making eye contact with a driver is a good way to know whether a driver is aware that someone is about to cross the road.

• Cross quickly – do not linger or play in the street.

• Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, skateboard, or scooter.

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