Back-to-School Safety Tips

From the School District of Osceola County and Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Department

       As students return to school, everyone plays a role in keeping our roads, sidewalks, and neighborhoods safe. Whether your students are walking, biking, driving, or riding a scooter, following these simple safety tips can help prevent injuries and keep everyone safe.

Bicycle & Scooter Safety

• Always wear a properly fitted helmet. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries.
• Obey all traffic signs and signals, including stopping completely at stop signs.
• Ride in the same direction as traffic and use designated bike lanes where available.
• Keep both hands on the handlebars and remain alert to your surroundings.
• Never use a cell phone, wear headphones that block surrounding sounds, or interact with electronic devices while riding a bicycle or motorized scooter.
• Ensure your bicycle or scooter has working brakes and lights, especially if riding during low-light conditions.

Pedestrian Safety

• Cross only at marked crosswalks or intersections whenever possible.
• Obey pedestrian crossing signals and wait for traffic to stop before entering the roadway.
• Make yourself visible by wearing bright or reflective clothing, especially during early morning or evening hours.
• Stay alert and keep your head up while walking. Avoid texting, scrolling, or wearing headphones that prevent you from hearing approaching traffic.
• Before crossing, look left, right, and left again, and continue watching for vehicles as you cross.

School Bus Safety

• Arrive at the bus stop early and stand a safe distance from the curb.
• Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before approaching.
• Cross the street only when directed by the bus driver and after making eye contact with the driver.
• Drivers must stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, unless traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway.

Driver Safety

• Slow down in school zones and obey all posted speed limits.
• Watch carefully for children crossing streets, especially near schools, neighborhoods, parks, and bus stops.
• Eliminate distractions by putting your phone away while driving.
• Never pass a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights and its stop arm.
• Allow extra travel time during the first few weeks of school, when traffic is typically heavier.

Parents & Students

• Plan and practice the safest route to school before the first day.
• Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of vehicles.
• Remind students that being predictable and visible helps drivers see them.
• If walking or biking with friends, stay together but avoid horseplay near roadways.
• Report unsafe traffic conditions or damaged traffic signs near schools to local authorities.

Let's work together to make this school year a safe one for every student, parent, teacher, and member of our Osceola County community. Slow down, stay alert, and help everyone arrive safely.