NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 15, 1997

CARY POLICE REINFORCE ABC’S OF
BACK-TO-SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY

CARY, NC -- Cary officials are asking motorists be especially careful on Monday as children throughout North Carolina start back to school. This year, members of Cary’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program will once again increase daytime monitoring of school zones as well as periodically following school buses to ensure that all vehicles, including school buses, are operated safely.

"It’s every driver’s responsibility to keep our streets safe," said Cary Police Lt. Doug Scott. "For many children in our communities, this will be the first time they’ve been so near traffic. Having many of them also learning to ride buses just makes the situation more complicated," he added.

Cary officials are encouraging parents to set aside time to discuss traffic safety with their children before school opens next week. Children may lack the skills to properly judge speed and distance of vehicles. "Parents should plan a trial run with their kids by walking with them on their route to school or to the bus stop," suggested Scott. "They can point out hazards along the way and help their children feel more comfortable on the first day," Scott says.

Children waiting at bus stops should be taught to:

Stay out of the street

Pay attention to traffic to avoid potential hazards

Wait until the school bus comes to a complete stop and has its emergency lights flashing and stop arm extended before moving toward the bus

Look left, right, and back to the left before crossing any street to board a stopped bus

Drivers should watch out for children at intersections, between parked cars, and around school buses. Motorists should also take particular care near schools where a high number of children are likely to be present and where speed limits have been reduced.

"it’s critical that parents incorporate traffic safety into their family’s back-to-school preparations," said Scott, "and that motorists are aware of the beginning of another school year."

PRIMARY CONTACTS: Lt. Doug Scott, Cary Police, 460-4903 or 517-3080

Bill Coleman, Town Manager, 469-4002

Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, 460-4951

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