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2023 Fall Newsletter
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2023 Fall Newsletter
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2024
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6 <br />UPDATE <br />UPDATESHERIFF’S OFFICE <br />The safety of our students <br />is a top priority, and it <br />requires the cooperation <br />of everyone on the road. <br />Deputy Samantha Mancini has <br />been a Washington County Sheriff’s <br />deputy since 2017 and has investigated <br />stop arm violations since 2018. She is <br />assigned to the patrol division and is a <br />diver on the Water Recovery Team and <br />Field Training Officer (FTO). <br />SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY <br />As the summer days draw to a close and <br />the first bell of a new school year rings, the <br />Washington County Sheriff’s Office would <br />like to remind everyone of the importance <br />of pedestrian and traffic safety. The safety <br />of our students is a top priority, and it requires <br />the cooperation of everyone on the road to <br />ensure that our children arrive at school and <br />return home safely. With the hustle and bustle <br />of school buses, children riding bikes, and the <br />increased foot traffic around schools, it’s im- <br />perative for both drivers and pedestrians to be <br />vigilant and aware of the laws and guidelines <br />designed to keep everyone safe. <br />School buses are designed to be one of the <br />safest modes of transportation for our children, <br />and it is estimated that over 20.5 million <br />elementary and secondary school children <br />ride buses to and from school each day. <br />However, this safety can be compromised <br />when drivers ignore the stop arm and flashing <br />lights, making one of the most critical aspects <br />of back-to-school safety understanding and <br />obeying Minnesota’s school bus stop arm laws. <br /> <br />Before stopping to pick up or drop off stu- <br />dents, the school bus will signal their stop by <br />flashing yellow or amber lights. Once the bus <br />comes to a complete stop, red lights will <br />activate and the stop arm will extend, <br />indicating that all traffic – regardless of <br />direction – must come to a complete stop. <br />It is crucial that drivers stop for the yellow <br />lights, not race around them to try to get past. <br />Failing to stop for a school bus stop arm is not <br />only against the law but could have severe and <br />irreversible consequences. For decades, the <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />the Washington County Sheriff’s Office has <br />assigned a dedicated deputy to investigate <br />all reported school bus stop arm violations <br />throughout the county. Violating school bus <br />stop arm laws can result in hefty fines, the <br />loss of your driver’s license, or even jail <br />time if a child is injured or killed. <br />Off the bus, many children ride their bikes to <br />school or cross streets to get there. Whether <br />walking or riding, it’s crucial for both children <br />and drivers to understand and practice safe <br />habits. Parents and guardians can play a vital <br />role in educating their children about proper <br />bicycle safety, including wearing helmets, using <br />appropriate hand signals, and riding on des- <br />ignated bike paths whenever possible. When <br />children need to cross streets on their way <br />to school, they should be instructed to <br />use designated crosswalks or pedestrian <br />crossings whenever possible. Teach them to <br />look left, right, and left again before crossing <br />and to make eye contact with drivers to ensure <br />they are seen. <br />As drivers, we bear a significant responsibility <br />for the safety of all road users. Children may <br />not always be aware of traffic rules or the <br />dangers of the road, and it’s our responsibility <br />as drivers to exercise patience and caution, <br />especially in areas with bus stops. <br />Remember to slow down, <br />eliminate distractions, <br />stay alert, and obey <br />all traffic laws. <br /> <br />The well-being of our community’s youngest <br />members depends on each one of us making <br />responsible choices on the road, and together, <br />we can ensure that our children’s journey to <br />school is a safe and happy one.
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