The first day of school is right around the corner! Palm Beach County Public Schools welcome students back on Monday, August 12. In Palm Beach Gardens, we expect to see heavier traffic with more of our students walking, biking or taking the bus to school. The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department asks that you keep these safety tips in mind:
Crossing Guards:
- Keep your eyes open, be aware of your surroundings and listen to the crossing guard.
- Remind your children to look left and right, make eye contact with drivers and make sure they come to a complete stop before using the crosswalk.
- Avoid distractions while using the crosswalk, put down your phone and remove your earphones while crossing the street.
Student Pickup/Drop-Off:
- Parents remember while dropping your children off to school the parking lot is a NO CELL PHONE ZONE!
- Children should exit/enter the car from the passenger side, so they are not walking into oncoming traffic.
- Only drive or park in authorized areas to drop off or pick up children at school.
- Remember, it is against the law to load or offload passengers from the roadway.
Bicycle & E-Bike Safety:
- Ensure that children wear helmets and appropriate safety gear. Helmets are crucial in preventing head injuries in case of accidents, and reflective gear can make bikers more visible to drivers.
- Encourage children to use designated bike lanes and paths where possible. Routes that are less congested with vehicle traffic can significantly reduce the risk of collisions.
- Teach children the importance of following traffic signals and rules. Biking with traffic, using hand signals for turns, and stopping at stop signs are essential for safe biking.