School’s Back in Session: Essential Back-to-School Driving & Pedestrian Safety Tips for Ridgewood

file photo courtesy of Boyd Loving

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Ridgewood Public Schools are officially back in session! As students return to the classroom, village officials and local authorities urge all residents, motorists, and parents to exercise extra caution in school neighborhoods, particularly during morning drop-off and afternoon pickup hours.

With more kids walking and biking to school, increased traffic can quickly turn dangerous. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• 17% of all traffic fatalities in the 0–14 age group were pedestrians.

• 24% of pedestrian deaths in school zones involved children aged 5–14.

• Older teens face higher risks: While youth aged 12–19 represent about a quarter of all children aged 0–19, they account for half of all child pedestrian fatalities.

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Key Driving Rules: Keep School Zones Safe

Taking your eyes off the road for just 2 seconds doubles your chance of being involved in a crash. Motorists are reminded to adopt these vital driving habits:

• Obey Speed Limits: Drive slowly in school areas. Some posted zones drop to 15 mph, but even without posted signs, drivers should travel no faster than 25 mph to allow sufficient reaction time.

• Stop for School Buses: Drivers in both directions must stop and wait whenever a school bus is flashing red lights. You must remain stopped for the entire duration the lights are active—not just until the stop arm retracts.

• Put Phones Away: Avoid checking text messages or notifications while driving.

• Safe Drop-Off Practices: Plan ahead to drop off students on the same side of the street as the school to avoid forcing children to cross through moving traffic.

• Avoid Double-Parking: Double-parking forces children to navigate moving traffic during pickup. Find a legal parking spot if you need to assist your child.

• Yield to Pedestrians: Always yield at crosswalks and show patience for crossing guards managing intersections.

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Pedestrian Safety: Teaching Kids Safe Street Habits

Pedestrian safety is a two-way street. Parents are encouraged to model and discuss safety practices with younger children and teenagers alike.

Guidelines for Young Children & Preschoolers

• Never Cross Alone: Preschoolers should always hold an adult’s hand and seek out a trusted adult or older sibling if parents are not nearby.

• Look Left-Right-Left: Teach children that a green light or walk signal grants the right to cross, but does not guarantee safety. Always check for turning vehicles first.

• Make Eye Contact: Teach kids to make eye contact with drivers in stopped vehicles before stepping into a crosswalk.

Addressing Distracted Walking in Older Students

While pedestrian fatality rates for children under 11 dropped 74% since 1995, rates for teenagers aged 12–19 have dropped only 37% overall—and actually spiked between 2013 and 2016.

A study by Safe Kids Worldwide revealed that 1 in 4 high school students and 1 in 6 middle school students were distracted by smartphones, headphones, or both while crossing streets. Parents must reinforce that walking near traffic requires total visual and auditory awareness.

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