Back to School Safety Awareness and Traffic Enforcement Detail NA22063ah

WHAT:
Media Availability to bring awareness to parents and the motoring public on Back to School Safety.

WHEN:
Monday August 15, 2022
5:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

WHERE:
Balboa Gifted/High-Ability Magnet Elementary School
17020 Labrador Street
Northridge CA, 91325

WHO:
Captain Andrew Neiman, Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division
Captain Demian Wyma, Los Angeles Police Department Devonshire Division
Chief Steven Zipperman, Los Angeles School Police
Principal Shun, Balboa Magnet Elementary School

WHY:
On August 15, 2022 the parents in the City of Los Angeles will be sending their children back to school. Over 540,000 children will utilize vehicles, bicycles, busses, or walk as a means to travel to their local school.

The leading cause of death for children age 14 and younger is vehicle accidents whether they are a passenger, riding their bike, or get struck by a vehicle while walking.

There were 1,080 fatal school transportation-related crashes from 2010 to 2019, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

According to NHTSA data, 240 school-aged children were killed in traffic related crashes from 2010 to 2019. In 2019 specifically, there were 109 fatalities in school transportation related crashes. A greater proportion of those deaths occurred during drop off and pick up times, between the hours of 7 a.m.to 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., then any other time of day.

In an effort to protect the students of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department along with the Los Angeles School Police will conduct a Joint Media Availability to bring awareness to the motoring public and parents dropping their children off at school.

TIPS:

School Bus
Wait five giant steps from the road, and when the school bus arrives wait until the driver says to board.
When boarding the school bus, go straight to your seat and sit facing the front and listen to the school bus driver.
When exiting the bus, look out for cars. When you get off, take 5 giant steps from the school bus.
Look left-right-left to make sure no cars are coming and wait for the driver to signal it’s safe to cross the street.

Walk
Walk on the sidewalk, if there is no sidewalk try to walk facing traffic.
Do not push or shove others when you walk.
When crossing the street, look left-right-left for cars.
Do not cross if a car is coming and use a cross walk if you can.

Bicycle
Always wear a helmet and make sure to buckle your chin strap.
Ride on bike paths or on the sidewalk. Do not ride in the street.

CONTACT:
For more information, please contact Sergeant Steven Slinsky, Valley Traffic Division (818) 644-8146.