DEMING – School days are kicking off and the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) wants to remind everyone to slow down in school zones! Drivers and pedestrians need to slow down, be alert, and think about traffic laws when in or near a school zone.
Driver Safety Reminders:
Slow down! Speed limits in school zones tend to be 5-10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit.
Drivers must stop behind a school bus with flashing lights. Never pass a stopped school bus. The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children entering or exiting the bus.
Respect the crossing guard. Always stop for crossing guards holding a stop sign.
Use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians, no matter who has the right of way.
Be aware children can be unpredictable. Watch for children darting out from between parked cars or from school buses.
Yield to pedestrians walking on a crosswalk.
Do NOT stop on a marked crosswalk or impede a pedestrian's pathway at a marked intersection.
Pedestrian Safety Reminders:
Look both ways before crossing.
Do not expect a driver to yield to you if you are crossing on an unmarked pathway.
Only walk on designated sidewalks or pathways.
Never jump into traffic or attempt to walk on the road.
Wear bright colored or reflective clothing if walking at night.
