Back-to-School Safety Tips – School District of Osceola County and Safety, Security, and Emergency Management Department
As students return to school, everyone plays a role in keeping our roads, sidewalks, and neighborhoods safe. Whether your students are walking, biking, driving, or riding a scooter, following these simple safety tips can help prevent injuries and keep everyone safe.
Bicycle & Scooter Safety
- Always wear a properly fitted helmet. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries.
- Obey all traffic signs and signals, including stopping completely at stop signs.
- Ride in the same direction as traffic and use designated bike lanes where available.
- Keep both hands on the handlebars and remain alert to your surroundings.
- Never use a cell phone, wear headphones that block surrounding sounds, or interact with electronic devices while riding a bicycle or motorized scooter.
- Ensure your bicycle or scooter has working brakes and lights, especially if riding during low-light conditions.
Pedestrian Safety
- Cross only at marked crosswalks or intersections whenever possible.
- Obey pedestrian crossing signals and wait for traffic to stop before entering the roadway.
- Make yourself visible by wearing bright or reflective clothing, especially during early morning or evening hours.
- Stay alert and keep your head up while walking. Avoid texting, scrolling, or wearing headphones that prevent you from hearing approaching traffic.
- Before crossing, look left, right, and left again, and continue watching for vehicles as you cross.
School Bus Safety
- Arrive at the bus stop early and stand a safe distance from the curb.
- Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before approaching.
- Cross the street only when directed by the bus driver and after making eye contact with the driver.
- Drivers must stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, unless traveling on the opposite side of a divided highway.
Driver Safety
- Slow down in school zones and obey all posted speed limits.
- Watch carefully for children crossing streets, especially near schools, neighborhoods, parks, and bus stops.
- Eliminate distractions by putting your phone away while driving.
- Never pass a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights and its stop arm.
- Allow extra travel time during the first few weeks of school, when traffic is typically heavier.
Parents & Students
- Plan and practice the safest route to school before the first day.
- Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of vehicles.
- Remind students that being predictable and visible helps drivers see them.
- If walking or biking with friends, stay together but avoid horseplay near roadways.
- Report unsafe traffic conditions or damaged traffic signs near schools to local authorities.
Let's work together to make this school year a safe one for every student, parent, teacher, and member of our Osceola County community. Slow down, stay alert, and help everyone arrive safely.
