Community problems & solutions
What is the role of a law enforcement officer in Safe Routes to School programs ?
From conducting education and enforcement campaigns to identifying unsafe conditions, law enforcement officers can play multiple roles in SRTS programs. Law enforcement officers see first hand the consequences of motor vehicle crashes. They also see first hand the behaviors that cause these consequences.
Is speeding really a big problem?
Just a 10 mph difference in speed can be critical to whether a pedestrian lives or dies when struck by a car. This is especially true for children and older pedestrians. A driver may not think going 10 mph over the speed limit will be noticeably less safe, but at 20 mph, a pedestrian has about a 5 percent chance of dying if he is hit by a car. At 30 mph, the chance of dying increases to roughly 45 percent. If a pedestrian is hit by a motor vehicle traveling 40 mph, the risk of dying increases to 85 percent.(1)
Can enforcement alone change behavior?
Enforcement works best when used in combination with other strategies. Communities tailor enforcement, engineering, education and encouragement strategies to address the specific needs of their schools.
What role does enforcement play in Safe Routes to School?
The main goal for Safe Routes to School (SRTS) enforcement strategies is to improve safe behaviors and deter unsafe behaviors of drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. Enforcement is one of the complementary strategies that SRTS programs use to enable more children to walk and bicycle to school safely. Enforcement includes students, parents, adult school crossing guards, school personnel and neighborhood watch programs all working in conjunction with law enforcement.
How do you educate parents about the proper drop-off and pick-up process?
Educating parents and students on proper drop-of and pick-up process is essential in developing a safe and efficient system.
What is a temporary use of school grounds as drop-off and pick-up zone and how does it operate?
An on-site temporary drop-off and pick-up zones is a section of the school grounds, such as a play area or parking lot, which can be used as a dedicated drop-off and pick-up zone only when children are arriving at, or leaving, school. Temporary drop-off and pick-up zones can be useful in older, urban schools that were built with no student loading areas and when most children walked to school rather than being driven to school.