Back to School Safety Awareness and Traffic Enforcement Detail NA24129jl

WHAT:
Media Availability

WHEN:
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
5:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. (Main speakers available after 7:45 a.m.).

WHERE:
Van Gogh Charter Elementary School
17160 Van Gogh Street
Granada Hills CA, 91344

WHO:
Captain Raymond Lucas, Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division
Captain Kathleen Burns, Los Angeles Police Department Devonshire Division
Lieutenant Hugo Godinez, Los Angeles School Police Department
Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, Los Angeles Unified School District
Dr. David Baca, Los Angeles Unified School District Northwest District Superintendent
Scott Schmerelson, Los Angeles Unified Board District 3
Aurora Mellado, Los Angeles Unified School District Operations Coordinator
Principal Lisa Stevens, Van Gogh Elementary School

WHY:
On August 13, 2024, parents will send their children back to school. Over 397,000 children will walk and utilize vehicles, bicycles, or buses to travel to their local schools.

The leading cause of death for children aged 14 and younger is vehicle accidents, whether they are passengers riding their bikes or getting struck by a vehicle while walking.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 1,110 fatal school transportation-related crashes nationwide between 2012 and 2021.

According to NHTSA data, 206 school-aged children were killed in traffic-related crashes from 2012 to 2021. In 2021 specifically, there were 108 fatalities in school transportation related crashes. A greater proportion of those deaths occurred during drop off and pick up times, between 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. than any other time.

To protect the students of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles School Police will conduct a Joint Media Availability to raise awareness among the public and parents dropping their children off at school.

TIPS:

School Bus
Wait five giant steps from the road, and when the school bus arrives, wait until the driver
says to board. When boarding the school bus, go straight to your seat, sit facing the front, and listen to the bus driver.

When exiting the bus, look out for cars. When you get off, take five giant steps from the school bus.

Look left-right-left to ensure no cars are coming and wait for the driver to signal it’s safe to cross the street.

Walk
Walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk try to walk facing traffic.
Do not push or shove others when you walk.
When crossing the street, look left-right-left for cars.
Do not cross if a car is coming; use a crosswalk if possible.

Bicycle
Always wear a helmet, and make sure to buckle your chin strap.
Ride on bike paths or the sidewalk. Do not ride in the street.

CONTACT:
For more information, please contact Sergeant Steven Slinsky, Valley Traffic Division (818) 644-8146.