Palos Park police plan back-to-school campaign

From staff reports

Our Back-to-school safety campaign begins in earnest with students heading back to school soon, Palos Park Police are reminding everyone to take extra steps to be safe.

Commander Chris Hughes is overseeing our day shift efforts during the time of year when parents get excited and students are looking forward to going back to school.

Palos Park Police will have extra patrols during the school hours and that they will have a zero tolerance policy for those who disregard a bus stop arm or speeding in school zones:

Police Commissioner Dan Polk said, “The big yellow school bus approaches the intersection, the yellow lights come on and then the school bus comes to a halt and the red lights start to flash. The stop-arm goes out.  While school buses and motorists have been part of the morning and afternoon landscape for five generations of school children, we again have some safety tips to help make sure that this school year is safe for everyone.”

Drivers approaching a school bus from the rear, or from the opposite direction on a 2-lane road, must stop for any school bus receiving or discharging students and may not proceed until the school bus resumes motion or the driver is signaled to proceed by the school bus driver.  Drivers need not stop if traveling from the opposite direction on a road for four or more lanes.

Driving Safety Tips

• ALWAYS watch for stopped school buses in the morning hours and afternoon hours.
• Watch for children walking to and from school and waiting at bus stops.
• ALWAYS keep your eyes on the road and be patient driving behind school buses.

School Zone Driving Safety Tips

• Be on the lookout for school zone signals and ALWAYS obey the speed limits.
• When entering a school zone, be sure to slow down and obey all traffic laws.
• ALWAYS stop for school buses that are loading or unloading children.
• Watch out for school crossing guards and obey their signals.
• Be aware of and watch out for children near schools, bus stops, sidewalks, in the streets, and in school parking lots.
• NEVER pass other vehicles while driving in a school zone.
• NEVER text while driving in a school zone.
• Avoid using a cell phone, unless it is completely hands-free, while driving in a school zone.