News Flash

With the start of school rapidly approaching, the Dubuque Police Department would like to remind parents/guardians and students of the following safety tips:

Motorists are reminded to slow down and increase vigilance, especially in and around school zones and crosswalks. Do not pass a school bus (from either direction) while red flashing lights are engaged and the stop arm deployed. A violation of this law now requires a mandatory court appearance and may result in a fine up to $625 and 30 days in jail. Dubuque Police will have increased presence and enforcement effort in and around school zones during the first several days of school and throughout the year as needed.

Please share the following safety tips with your students:

School Bus Safety

- Wait for the bus to stop before approaching from the curb.

- Do not move around on the bus.

- Make sure to always remain in clear view of the bus driver and wait to be signaled by the driver before crossing the street.

- Children should always board and exit the bus at locations that provide safe access to the bus or school.

- Do not assume drivers see you or will stop for the stop arm.

Private Transportation

- All vehicle occupants should wear a seat belt and/or an age & size appropriate car safety seat or booster seat.

- Your child should ride in a car seat with a harness as long as possible and then ride in a belt-positioning booster seat as described below.

- Your child should ride in a booster seat until the vehicle’s seatbelt fits properly (usually when the child is 4’9” in height and is between 8 and 12 years of age).

- All children under the age of 13 should ride in the backseat.

- All children under age 18 must be properly restrained – regardless of seating position in the vehicle.

Bicycle Riders

- Always wear a helmet, no matter how long or short the ride.

- Wear bright color clothing to increase visibility.

- If you must ride on the street, ride on the right in the same direction as vehicular traffic, use appropriate hand signals and obey all traffic laws.

- Know the “rules of the road”: (http://www.aap.org/family/bicycle.htm)

- Watch for vehicles and don’t assume they see you just because you can see them.

- Secure “cargo” as to not interfere with the safe operation of the bicycle.

Walkers

- Make sure your child’s route to school safe.

- Be realistic about your child’s pedestrian skills and carefully consider whether or not your child is ready to walk to school unsupervised.

- If your child is young and/or is walking to a new school, walk with them the first week or so to make sure they know the route and can get there safely.

- Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.

- Teach your child to cross the street within crosswalks and/or at intersections, and to watch for vehicles while they are crossing.

As always, make sure your child knows the dangers associated with talking to strangers and teach him or her how to respond to such situations. Also ensure that your child knows where to go after school (home, Y-Care, etc.) and how to get there. Remind him or her that deviating from the after-school plan without your permission is dangerous and unacceptable.