Staying safe during the school year

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John D. Partlow
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The new school year has just kicked off, and school safety becomes a chief concern in some parents' and teachers' minds.

"Being hit by a motor vehicle poses the greatest threat to any child walking or riding a bicycle to school," said Paul Blair, 47th Flying Training Wing Ground Safety manager. "People need to pay particular attention near crosswalks and areas around schools where children could potentially run into the roadway."

To ensure their child stays safe, parents can review their family's walking safety rules, review their child's bus stop for potential hazards or educate their children on bicycle safety rules.

Another way children can stay safe is by riding the bus to school. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, riding a bus to school is 13-times safer than riding in a passenger vehicle and 10-times safer than walking to school.

"School buses are one of the safest forms of transportation on the road today," said Blair. "The reality of school bus safety is that more children are hurt outside the bus than inside as passengers."

For more information on school safety, visit www.safekids.org.