Back to School Safety and Crossing Guard Awareness Detail NA12181bb

School Drop Off and Pick-Up Safety

WHAT:
News Conference

WHEN:   
Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Crossing Guard Awareness Detail (Haskell Avenue and Tulsa Street) 7:15 a.m.

Start of news conference 8:30 a.m.

WHERE:   
Haskell Elementary School
15850 Tulsa Street
Granada Hills, CA  91344

WHO:  
LAPD Commander James Cansler, Assistant Commanding Officer, Operations Valley Bureau                                    
Chief Steven Zipperman, Los Angeles School Police Department
Chief Scott LaChasse (or representative), Burbank Police Department
Deputy Chief Hector Rodriquez, Campus Services Bureau, Los Angeles School Police Department
Captain Kevin Gordon, West Valley Office, California Highway Patrol
Acting Captain-Lieutenant Matthew Rodriguez, Transit Service North Bureau, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Lieutenant Jay Hawver, Traffic Bureau, Burbank Police Department
Lieutenant Jones, City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation
LAPD Sergeant Stephen Egan, Valley Traffic Division Motor Squad
LAPD Sergeant David Mackie, Los Angeles School Police Department
AAA Representative, Southern California Office

WHY:  
Nationwide from 1998 to 2008, 149 school-age pedestrians (younger than 19) have died in school transportation-related crashes. Over two-thirds (69 percent) were killed by school buses, 7 percent by vehicles functioning as school buses, and 24 percent by other vehicles involved in the crashes.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, about one-half (47 percent) of all school-age pedestrians killed in school transportation-related crashes were between the ages of 5 and 7 years old.

Traditionally, schools in the City of Los Angeles have started at the end of August or beginning of September.  This year LAUSD schools will be starting early on August 14, 2012.  Normal commuter traffic will not anticipate the large numbers of children making their way to school.  Motorists will not be ready for the increased numbers of pedestrians utilizing the sidewalks and crosswalks in the morning and afternoon. 
   
In order to bring awareness to the motoring public, motorcycle officers from the Los Angeles Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Burbank Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, along with City officials and the Los Angeles School Police Department will be conducting a Crossing Guard Awareness Detail at the school crosswalk located at the intersection of Haskell Avenue and Tulsa St.  A press conference will follow. 

Tips for Getting to School Safely

By Walking — Crossing the Street

1.  Walk to school with a group of kids and always have a responsible adult walk with you. Always walk on the sidewalk if one is available. 

2.  If no sidewalk is available, walk facing the traffic.

4. The safest place to cross is at a street corner or intersection.

5.  If you are 10 years old or younger, you need to cross the street with an adult. You should not cross by yourself. Ask an adult to explain to you who can help you cross the street.

6. Before you step off the curb to cross the street, stop and look left, look right, and look left again to see if cars are coming.

7. When no cars are coming, it is safe for you and an adult to cross. But look left-right-left as you do it, and hold the adult’s hand.

Always walk when crossing the street.  Never run across the street to catch a ball or chase a toy, a friend, or a pet.

Darting out in front of a parked car is dangerous. The driver of the car coming down the street can’t see you.

Cross at corners and use crosswalks whenever possible; always stay within the lines of the crosswalk.

Never go for a walk with a stranger.  Only walk with someone who your parents say is okay.
 

By Riding Your Bicycle

1. The best and smartest bicycle riders always wear their bicycle Helmets. They know that bicycle helmets will keep their heads and brains safe.

2. Ask an adult to make sure that your helmet fits correctly. The helmet should fit low on your forehead so that two fingers fit between it and your eyebrows. Another way to check is to put the helmet on your head and look up. If you can’t see your helmet, it is too far back.

3. To ride safely, you need to know the rules of the road. Do you know what “the rules of the road” are for bicycles? If you don’t, then you should not ride in traffic or without an adult.

4. When you ride your bicycle, wearing a helmet helps to keep you safe. You should also wear bright colors during the day, and right before the sun rises or sets. This makes it easier for drivers to see you, and that helps to keep you safe, too.

5. Practice makes you more skilled at riding your bicycle. The more skilled you are at riding, the less likely you will be to crash. Practice riding skills in an empty parking lot or a place with no traffic. Practice such things as riding in a straight line, looking over your shoulder, signaling with your hands, and starting and stopping.

Ride on the right side of the road or trail in a single file line (one bike behind the other) in the same direction as other vehicles and come to a complete stop before crossing streets.  Walk your bike on school grounds.  Park and lock your bike in the bike racks.

CONTACT:  
For more information, please contact Sergeant Steve Egan 818-644-8146 or the Valley Traffic Division Watch Commander at 818-644-8010.