Submitted by Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office
In a continuing effort to ensure traffic safety through education and enforcement, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office initiated Operation Safe Start, a back-to-school traffic safety campaign. This traffic campaign is designed to educate motorists, parents, and children regarding accident prevention and safe pedestrian movement.
Operation Safe Start began Aug. 16 and continues until Aug. 27.
Additional enhanced traffic education and enforcement efforts will remain in place through the school year.
Operation Safe Start will focus on motorists who illegally pass school buses, speed in school zones, fail to wear or ensure their children wear safety belts, and commit other unsafe driving actions in and around the schools in Centennial and unincorporated Arapahoe County.
Deputies will take on additional duties during the first two weeks of the new school year.
In addition, message boards will be used in neighborhoods to notify motorists to exercise more caution now that schools are in session.
The beginning of the school year is a time when there is a greater risk of traffic-related injuries to children because more children are out in mornings and afternoons, as well as changed driving patterns and less daylight.
Tips for motorists
• Slow down and obey all traffic laws and speed limits.
• Always stop for a school bus that has stopped to load and unload children.
• Be alert and ready to stop. Watch for children, especially where there are no sidewalks.
Tips for parents
• Help children learn and practice the safety rules for walking, bicycling or riding in a passenger car or school bus.
• Supervise young children as they are walking or biking to school.
• Be a good role model. Always buckle up and follow pedestrian safety rules.
Tips for students
• Remember to always buckle up when riding in a car.
• Always ride in the back seat. It’s the safest place for young people.
• Always wear a helmet and follow safety rules when riding your bike.
• If you ride a school bus, learn and practice the safety rules for waiting at the bus stop, getting on and off the bus, and riding the bus.
• If you walk to school, learn and practice the safety rules for pedestrians. Always cross at crosswalks, look all ways for on-coming traffic, obey all traffic signs, traffic lights and the crossing guard’s instructions.
