Project Cool your engines…Child Safety Initiative as Kids Return to School

NEWS RELEASE/NEWA CONFERENCE MISHAWAKA ANNOUNCES BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY/COOL YOUR ENGINES

A NEWS CONFERENCE IS SCHEDULED Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., in front of Hums Elementary School, 3208 Harrison Road, Mishawaka, IN 46544.

Please join School City of Mishawaka Officials along with the Mishawaka Police and Fire Departments as we kick off project COOL YOUR ENGINES as schools prepare to start back.

The News Conference will focus on safety suggestions for motorists, parents, and students.  Mishawaka Fire Department will be present with their firetrucks displaying the COOL YOUR ENGINES signs during the first-week students return to school.

The Mishawaka Police Department wants to remind all drivers that students are returning to school soon and emphasize the importance of children’s safety as they travel to and from school each day.  School Zone Speed Limits will be Enforced. Watch for the yellow flashing school zone lights indicating children are present and eliminate distractions from phones or texting while driving.

BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY TIPS

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WALKING TO SCHOOL

•  Plan your daily walking route before school starts with guardian.
•  Go straight home, do not stop anywhere or use another route without permission.
•  Try to walk with someone to and from school.
•  Use sidewalks when available.
•  Stop as alleys to check both ways for traffic.
•  Teach your children to recognize and obey traffic signals, signs, and crossing guards.
•  Only cross streets at designated crosswalks, street corners, or intersections with traffic lights.
•  Stand back several feet from the curb when waiting to cross a street.
•  Always look both ways before crossing the street, even if it is your turn to cross.
•  Walk and never run across intersections or run into a street for any reason without making sure it is clear.
•  Avoid talking to strangers.  Teach your children to put distance between themselves and anyone who tries to make

contact with them.

•  If a stranger does approach your child, make sure they know to immediately report the incident to you and/or a

trusted adult.

•  Teach your children to never get into a vehicle with anyone, without your permission, even if they know them.
•  On dark mornings, be sure to wear light or reflective clothing/jackets to be seen by drivers.

RIDING A BIKE TO SCHOOL– Practice the Walking to School tips with the following modifications:

•  Check with your school to make sure your child is allowed to ride their bicycle and where to secure it.
•  Make sure your child always wears a bicycle helmet!
•  Obey the rules of the road; the rules are the same for all vehicles, including bicycles.
•  Always stay on the right-hand side of the road and ride in the same direction as traffic.
•  Be sure your child knows and uses all of the appropriate hand signals.
•  Choose the safest route between home and school and practice it with your children until they can demonstrate

traffic safety awareness on their own.

•  If possible, try to ride with someone else to and from school.

 RIDING IN A CAR TO SCHOOL

•  Wear your seatbelt, it is the law.  Parents, model wearing your seatbelt, it is the law.
•  Find out what your school’s drop-off/pick-up procedure is before the first day of school.
•  Always have your child exit the vehicle on the sidewalk side of vehicle, if possible.
•  The above applies to pick-up time.  Children should never run between cars to get into your vehicle.

DRIVERS

•  When entering a School Zone, be sure to slow down and obey all the traffic laws, they will be enforced.
•  Be prepared to stop when required.
•  Always stop for school or city buses that are loading or unloading children.
• Watch for school crossing guards and obey their signals.
• Be aware of and watch out for children near schools, sidewalks, intersections, on the streets, in school parking lot, etc.
•  Never pass other vehicles while driving through a School Zone, or attempt to change lanes.
•  Never text or look at texts while driving.
•  Eliminate distractions and avoid using a cell phone while driving through a School Zone.
•  Plan extra time to arrive at your destination when traveling through School Zones.