road safety

Rockport Police Offer Back to School Road Safety Tips

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Rockport Police Department
John Horvath, Police Chief
168 Main St.
Rockport, MA 01834

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Rockport Police Offer Back to School Road Safety Tips

ROCKPORT — As the school year approaches, Chief John Horvath and the Rockport Police Department would like to offer road safety tips for motorists, children, parents and guardians.

“The school year is upon us, and we’re reminding drivers to remember the law when it comes to stopping for school buses when they are picking up and dropping off children and teens,” Chief Horvath said. “It’s also essential that drivers watch for students who may be walking, bicycling or waiting at a bus stop, especially in the morning when students are headed to school and in the afternoon when they’re on their way home.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has several tips for motorists as the school year begins:

  • Look for children walking or bicycling when backing out of a driveway or garage.
  • Be vigilant and watch for children who may be walking or bicycling to school in neighborhoods with school zones.
  • Watch out for children who may be crossing the street.
  • Be mindful of children who may be standing in a group or playing near a bus stop.
  • Slow down.
  • Remember: yellow flashing lights signify that a bus is slowing down to either pick up or drop off children. Prepare to stop your vehicle.
  • Remember: red flashing lights and extended stop arms signify that a bus has stopped to pick up or drop off children. Drivers traveling in both directions are required to stop their vehicles and wait until the lights stop flashing, the extended stop arm is withdrawn and the bus continues driving.

The Rockport Police Department also wishes to remind drivers to stay off of all electronic devises while driving, as even a moment of distraction can cause a deadly accident. Drivers are also reminded to keep the windows of their vehicle clean and clear.

The NHTSA also has several tips for children and parents at bus stops:

  • Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early, and wait approximately six feet away from the curb.
  • Do not allow children to run or play at a bus stop.
  • Wait until the bus stops completely, the door opens and the driver says it is safe to board the bus before getting on.
  • Use the handrails on the bus while boarding.
  • Do not walk behind a school bus.
  • If a child drops an item near a school bus, he or she should first tell the bus driver about the dropped item.
  • If a child needs to cross the street to board the bus, he or she should make eye contact with the driver, use the sidewalk until crossing, and walk approximately 10 feet in front of the bus.

Anyone with questions about road safety is encouraged to contact the Rockport Police Department at 978-546-1212.

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Reading Police to Participate in ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign

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Reading Police Department
David Clark, Deputy Chief
15 Union St.
Reading, MA 01867

For Immediate Release

Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Reading Police to Participate in ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign

READING — Deputy Chief David Clark reports that the Reading Police Department will be increasing the number of patrols on local roads as part of a national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

The campaign is an initiative of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division and will continue through the remainder of the summer and into the fall. Additional patrols by the Reading Police Department are being funded for the initiative by a grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

Police urge motorists who have been drinking or using marijuana or other drugs to plan ahead and designate a driver, use a ride-sharing service or take public transportation.

“Impaired driving is incredibly dangerous, and endangers the lives of the driver, passengers, nearby motorists and pedestrians,” Deputy Chief Clark said. “We urge residents– never, ever drive while impaired by any substance. Plan ahead: designate a sober driver or use public transportation.”

Reading Police will have several officers on the lookout for impaired and reckless drivers over the coming weeks. Everyone is reminded to never get behind the wheel if they have been drinking and to never get into a vehicle if the driver is impaired.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 30 people are killed daily in the United States by crashes that involve impaired driving, killing approximately 10,000 people each year.

The Reading Police Department is joining 140 local law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth, as well as the Massachusetts State Police, by enhancing its efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road.

“The most important responsibility of anyone behind the wheel is to drive safely,” said Jeff Larason, director of the OGR Highway Safety Division. “As summer vacation turns into back-to-school season, it’s important that motorists take seriously their responsibility to stay sober and alert.”

If you are charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you will lose your license and could face jail time and incur the cost of significant fines and expenses.

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Bedford Police Offer Back to School Road Safety Tips

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Bedford Police Department
Robert Bongiorno, Chief of Police
2 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA 01730

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019

Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Bedford Police Offer Back to School Road Safety Tips

BEDFORD — As the start of the school year approaches, Chief Robert Bongiorno and the Bedford Police Department would like to offer road safety tips for motorists, children, parents and guardians.

“As kids head back to class, school buses will be on the roads again and children will be waiting at bus stops to be picked up,” said Traffic Enforcement Officer Thomas Devine. “There will also be children and teens walking and biking to school in the mornings and afternoons. This means drivers need to be more vigilant than ever. Watch out for kids on the roads, slow down, and never, ever use your cell phone while driving.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has several tips for motorists as the school year begins:

  • Look for children walking or bicycling when backing out of a driveway or garage.
  • Be vigilant and watch for children who may be walking or bicycling to school in neighborhoods with school zones.
  • Watch out for children who may be crossing the street.
  • Be mindful of children who may be standing in a group or playing near a bus stop.
  • Slow down.
  • Remember: yellow flashing lights signify that a bus is slowing down to either pick up or drop off children. Prepare to stop your vehicle.
  • Remember: red flashing lights and extended stop arms signify that a bus has stopped to pick up or drop off children. Drivers traveling in both directions are required to stop their vehicles and wait until the lights stop flashing, the extended stop arm is withdrawn and the bus continues driving.

The Bedford Police Department also wishes to remind drivers to stay off of all electronic devises while driving, as even a moment of distraction can cause a deadly accident. Drivers are also reminded to keep the windows of their vehicle clean and clear.

The NHTSA also has several tips for children and parents at bus stops:

  • Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early, and wait approximately six feet away from the curb.
  • Do not allow children to run or play at a bus stop.
  • Wait until the bus stops completely, the door opens and the driver says it is safe to board the bus before getting on.
  • Use the handrails on the bus while boarding.
  • Do not walk behind a school bus.
  • If a child drops an item near a school bus, he or she should first tell the bus driver about the dropped item.
  • If a child needs to cross the street to board the bus, he or she should make eye contact with the driver, use the sidewalk until crossing, and walk approximately 10 feet in front of the bus.

Anyone with questions about road safety is encouraged to contact Bedford Police Department Traffic Enforcement Officer Thomas Devine at 781-275-1212 or [email protected].

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Melrose Police to Hold Bicycle Safety Rodeo

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Melrose Police Department
Michael L. Lyle, Chief
56 W. Foster St.
Melrose, MA 02176

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, July 12, 2019

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Melrose Police to Hold Bicycle Safety Rodeo

MELROSE — Chief Michael Lyle is pleased to announce that the Melrose Police Department will host a Bicycle Safety Rodeo this summer.

WHEN:

Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 1-3 p.m.

WHERE:

Dills Court Municipal Parking Lot

WHAT:

The Melrose Police Department invites local children and their families to attend a free Bicycle Safety Rodeo this August.

The event will promote bicycle safety, and will feature stations where children will have the opportunity to learn bicycle safety, including changing direction, turning in circles, steering through tight spaces, weaving, stopping quickly, riding the bicycle very slowly while maintaining balance and learning to maneuver tight turns.

There will also be an obstacle course at the event designed to reinforce bicycle safety rules, laws and safe practices among children in common roadways in neighborhood scenarios.

The Bicycle Safety Rodeo will also include free giveaways.

“It’s great to see children enjoying the summer and riding their bicycles, and we want to make sure our youngest residents are being safe and understand the rules of the road,” Chief Lyle said. “We encourage parents and guardians to bring their children to this event to reinforce safe bicycle practices, while also having fun.”

The Melrose Police Department would like to remind the community of the following bicycle safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

Bicyclist Safety Tips:

  • Wear a helmet that properly fits and adjust your bicycle properly to your height.
  • Inflate tires and check your brakes.
  • Make yourself visible to drivers regardless of the time of day by wearing neon, fluorescent or bright colors. Wear reflective tape or markings, or flashing lights.
  • Keep both hands on the handlebars, unless signaling a turn.
  • Use a bike carrier or backpack if you’re transporting books, snacks, etc.
  • Watch out for potholes, broken glass, gravel, dogs, puddles and other potential road hazards.
  • Ride in the same direction as motor traffic.
  • Use proper turn signals.
  • State “passing on your left” or “on your left” when passing a pedestrian or other bicyclist.
  • Obey traffic laws, including all signs, signals, and lane markings.
  • Yield to traffic.
  • Yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk.
  • Ride in a straight line.
  • Look before turning.
  • Be cautious of parked cars that may have passengers opening doors, or that may attempt to pull into the road.
  • Ride in bike lanes or on bike paths when possible.

The Melrose Police Department would also like to remind residents to avoid riding at night when possible and to point out potential hazards to others when bicycling with a group.

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