Exercise Extra Caution in School Zones

The start of the 2015-16 school year is less than a week away and the Belleville Police Department is urging pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists to use extra caution in school zones. 
Motorists are asked to drive the speed limit, stop for pedestrian crosswalks – particularly extend the courtesy of stopping when a pedestrian is on the curb waiting to cross. Alternately, pedestrians and bicyclists are reminded to make certain an intersection is safe to cross before crossing. 
The police department notes that many pedestrians have a “false sense of security” by assuming they always have the right of way. According to the law, “No pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk, run, or ride into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is difficult for the operator of the vehicle to yield.”
Pedestrians must use good judgment and, when in doubt, “always err on the side of safety and just wait.” 
In addition to raising awareness of road safety in the community, the Village of Belleville, the Police Department and the Belleville School District have implemented several measures to help reduce the risk of accidents in the last few years. Pedestrian flags have been installed at crosswalks, and crossing guards are placed at West Main Street at South Grant Street, West Pearl Street at South Harrison Street, and West Pearl Street and South Grant Street.  
More recently the village of Belleville installed stop signs on South Harrison Street at West Pearl Street and South Grant Street at West Church Street. New stop signs will be installed before school starts on West Pearl Street at Frederick Street. New school zone signs will also be installed on West Church Street near the High School.  
Police Chief Bill Eichelkraut said that one of the most important components in keeping street crossings safe is a parent’s understanding of their children’s decision-making skills. 
“As a parent, everybody’s children have different judgments, abilities, personalities, and different levels of being able to make the proper decisions. We encourage walking to school, but not sacrificing knowing how to properly cross intersections,” he said. 
Eichelkraut notes that, “similarly to how you practice fire drills at home, you also need to practice safe street crossings regularly.” 
“We can provide the initial education and training, but to sustain it, parents need to teach children how to do it safely,” Eichelkraut said.
Belleville Police suggest that parents have their children demonstrate their ability to cross streets and navigate intersections. Moreover, the press release advises that parents evaluate the routes children are taking to school to ensure that they are the safest – even if they are not the most direct. 
“Perhaps the route a child is taking is the most direct, but not the safest. It’s better to have the child take a route with crossing stops at intersections, even if it means walking a few extra blocks.”