WASHINGTON — Kids have been waiting all year for summertime, and this is the last week of classes for most schools in the area. That means that soon, more kids will be outside playing and having fun — and drivers will need to be extra-vigilant.
Kids are in summer fun mode and probably aren’t thinking about being safe around cars, but Montgomery County Fire and Rescue is reminding all drivers that school is getting out but safety should still be in.
Drivers are being asked to slow down and use extra caution around school zones, residential areas and near parks and playgrounds. Kids are harder to see and are not always predictable.
If you are backing up your vehicle, always check for small children. You may even want to walk around your vehicle to check for kids or pets that might be in the way.
Drivers also are being urged to use extra caution and watch out for pedestrians when making a right turn on a red light.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue also has some tips for parents to teach their kids:
- Only cross the street at crosswalks and to always stop look and listen before crossing the street.
- Make eye contact with drivers before they cross, and always look left, right, and left as they cross.
- Avoid shortcuts such as walking though parking lots — drivers might not see kids darting out from between parked cars.
