The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) is encouraging schools, families, and students across the community to participate in this year’s National Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day on October 7. The annual event aims to support and reinforce healthy and safe travel habits for children on their journeys to and from school.
According to Traffic Bureau Sergeant Ishii, this yearly observance serves as a vital reminder that ensuring students can safely walk and bike to school is a “shared commitment” across the community. Sergeant Ishii emphasized the concurrent need for drivers to exercise caution: to slow down, remain alert, and actively look out for children utilizing crosswalks, sidewalks, and bike lanes on their way to school. The OCSD underscored that every safe choice contributes to protecting students who rely on these routes daily.
Beyond the designated Walk, Bike and Roll Day, the OCSD stressed the importance of continuous vigilance from drivers, especially given the potential for increased foot and bike traffic. Drivers are urged to be prepared to stop for school buses and children crossing streets. Furthermore, slowing down in school zones is a crucial measure to enhance safety for all students.
To help students navigate their routes safely, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has provided a series of practical tips for those who walk, bike, or roll to school:
* **Route Planning:** Students should plan their routes to utilize roads that feature sidewalks or paths, ideally avoiding areas with heavy vehicle traffic. If sidewalks are not available, the department advises walking as far to the left as possible, facing oncoming traffic. * **Bicycle Safety:** Cyclists are reminded to always ride on the right side of the road, moving in the same direction as vehicles. Wearing a properly fitted helmet is essential for all students riding bikes or other rolling devices. * **Crossing the Street:** When crossing streets, students should use marked crosswalks at stop signs or signals. In locations without marked crosswalks, crossing at street corners is recommended. A critical safety practice is to always look left-right-left before entering the street. * **Driver Interaction:** Students are advised to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them, never assuming a driver has seen them. This proactive step helps ensure mutual awareness. * **Visibility:** Being visible is paramount, particularly during varying light conditions. Students should wear bright clothing during the day. When it is dark, using reflective materials or a flashlight can significantly increase their visibility to drivers. * **Stay Alert:** To maintain full awareness of their surroundings, students are encouraged to stay alert and avoid electronic devices that could distract their eyes and ears from the road.
Schools are encouraged by the OCSD to register their participation in the event at walkbiketoschool.org. This registration helps track involvement and demonstrates community support for active, healthy, and safe transportation methods for students.
The funding that supports this safety program was made available through a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, channeled through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
