As area student continue to return to school, Custer County Sheriff Dan Osmond is reminding motorists, parents and children to take extra time to think about safety.
In a recent back to school safety discussion on KCNI Public Affairs, Osmond emphasized that drivers should be alert for children walking and riding bicycles near schools and along familiar routes.
“Pay attention, slow down a little bit and be aware of where you’re at and where those school zones are and just familiarize yourself with it,” Osmond said.
Drivers who travel the same routes regularly can become accustomed to their surroundings and may not always be thinking about the increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic that comes with the start of the school year, Osmond said.
The Sheriff also pointed to the increased presence of electric bicycles as something motorists should keep in mind. E-bikes travel considerably faster than traditional bicycles, potentially putting them into an intersection or a vehicles path more quickly.
Guardians establishing safe routines with children before they start walking or riding to school is also important, Osmond said. That includes a properly fitted helmet as a part of the routine.
Defensive driving, not only around schools, but anytime motorists are on the road, was another important item Osmond stressed.
“I think that we just forget to pay attention to what is going on, slowing down a little bit,” Osmond Said. “We should be defensive driving all the time, and I think we get so focused on our task, we forget about the actual driving.”
Osmond’s overall message is straightforward: taking a few extra seconds to pay attention could help ensure students arrive at school and return to their homes safely.
Listen to our full conversation with Sheriff Osmond here:
