Slow Down To Keep Kids Safe!

The Oregon School District recently joined the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission for a press conference to urge community members to help keep our kids safe by slowing down near schools and stopping for crosswalks and school buses. 

The press conference featured Zoe, an OSD student who was hit by a vehicle while attempting to board a school bus last April, and her family. Also speaking at the conference from Oregon were Superintendent Dr. Leslie Bergstrom and school crossing guard, Kim Wisdon. 

 

 

 

With over 86,000 area children back in school, the Dane County Traffic Safety Commission (TSC) is working with law enforcement agencies and school districts to remind area drivers to protect kids walking, bicycling or riding a bus to school. Many local police departments are now conducting extra enforcement and education around schools to ensure the safety of area students.

This follows a recent TSC report showing that the number of children in Dane County injured in school zones last year was twice as high as in any of the previous four years. In 2023, six Dane County children walking or on bicycles in school zones were injured when struck by a motor vehicle. Four were pedestrians and two were on a bicycle. Over the past five years, a total of 15 children have been injured in school zones. Forty-three children walking or biking on the way to or from school were injured. The youngest was 9 years old. Students age 15 or 16 accounted for 40% of the injuries.

“These injuries far too often result from drivers speeding in school zones or in neighborhoods where children are walking or biking to and from school.”  said Lt. Matt Plendl, Waunakee Police Department and co-chair of the TSC Law Enforcement Group. “It’s especially a concern when kids are getting on or off school buses. When a school bus’s red lights are flashing, drivers must slow down and come to a complete stop. This is not a suggestion--it’s the law. The extended stop-arm is an extra warning for drivers. When lights flash red, drivers from either direction must stop at least 20 feet from the bus and remain stopped until it resumes motion or the operator turns off the flashing red lights. 

“Drivers can be cited even when the violation is not observed directly by an officer,” he said, noting that bus drivers can record license plates of offenders. Lt. Plendl said agencies across Dane County this month will focus on education for drivers and pedestrians as well as issuing warnings or citations to those who break the rules. “Citation fines can be very costly, but the risk of hitting a child is even higher.”

Over ten school districts across the county are doing their part to help remind drivers to slow down by placing “Slow Down” yard signs on school grounds. These signs are distributed in partnership with Safe Communities of Madison-Dane County and can also be picked up at selected police departments for placement on private property. 
 

Additional News Coverage

• Dane Co. initiative aims to reduce risk of students being hit by drivers

• 'They might not be so lucky': Families, law enforcement speak on critical need for safer travel near schools

• Oregon 6th grader wants drivers to be more aware after being hit by SUV trying to board school bus

• School crossing guard advises how to keep students safe on their way to and from school