Vernon Hills Police Remind Residents About School Traffic Safety Laws

Information submitted by the Vernon Hills Police Department.

Motorists are encouraged to be watchful for children going to and from schools and also at bus stops, a press release from the Vernon Hills Police Department states.

Drivers should be diligent at obeying all rules of the road, especially those pertaining to school buses that are stopped to pick up or discharge students, and school zones, where the legal speed limit is 20 mph. The Vernon Hills Police Department will be persistent in the enforcement of these school-related violations throughout the school year.

Here are some tips for drivers:

• Get in the habit of recognizing school zones on your route of travel.
• Look for bicycles, children walking, and crossing guards.
• Scan between parked vehicles for children.
• Be prepared to take evasive action – fast.
• Drive with headlights on so children and other drivers can see you.
• Avoid using cell phones while driving, especially during before-school and after- school hours.  Remember that it is now ILLEGAL to use a cell phone in a school zone, unless you have a hands-free device or are calling 9-1-1.

The Vernon Hills Police Department Crime Prevention Unit also urges parents to take some time to talk to their children about safe walking and teach them the following rules:

• Look all ways before crossing the street.
• Cross the road only where there are crosswalks.
• Walk, never run, when crossing the street.
• Obey the directions given by crossing guards and traffic signals.
• Never chase anything into the street.