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By Klint W. Willert, PAS Superintendent of Schools
As the chill of winter fades and is replaced with longer days and the warmth of spring, it’s a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors. However, amidst the excitement of the spring season, it is also a time to remain aware of the added traffic in the community with children on bikes and teenaged drivers and prioritize safety, especially with the increased outdoor activities in and around schools.
Each year with the arrival of spring, we witness a surge in school-related traffic. This includes buses ferrying students to and from school, field trips, spring sporting events, and a host of other school sponsored activities – each trip carrying the responsibility of ensuring the safety of our young ones. It’s very important for all motorists to be mindful of school buses, respecting their frequent stops and extending courtesy by halting when their stop sign arms are out. While it can seem like an inconvenience, it is important to give the school buses and the children they are transporting the necessary room to be safe. Let’s make it a collective effort to protect our children as they embark and disembark from these vehicles.
Additionally, as the weather warms up, we see more children taking to the streets on their bicycles, eager to explore and enjoy the sunshine. Children will ride their bikes to school, to parks, and to friends. As drivers, it’s our duty to exercise caution and give ample space to these young riders. They may not always adhere to traffic rules or anticipate oncoming vehicles, so it’s essential to slow down and remain attentive, and be watchful for bicyclists, particularly around parks where children are likely to be present or near the schools where kids are gathering.
In addition to watching out for bicyclists, let’s also remember of the newest additions to our roads – teen drivers. Spring often marks a time when many teenagers acquire their driver’s licenses, eager to experience the freedom of the open road. I think we can all recall when we first received our new shiny driver’s license and the freedom we felt. While it’s an exciting milestone, it’s crucial for both new drivers and fellow motorists to exercise patience and caution and practice road awareness. Parent and grandparents, I urge you to encourage young drivers to refrain from distractions such as cell phones, obey speed limits, and always wear their seat belts. With prom, graduation, and other related spring-time school celebrations, it is easy for our youngest drivers to be distracted. Working together, we can keep our kids safe. As experienced drivers, let’s lead by example, demonstrating safe driving habits and offering guidance and support to our young motorists. We can provide support and guidance as well as role model those behaviors we expect among our youth as they take to the roadways this spring and summer. Let’s all practice responsibility for each other as we travel the roadways of the Pipestone Area Schools.
By prioritizing safety and practicing mindfulness on the roads, we can ensure that spring remains a season of excitement for our children and everyone in our community. Let’s work together to create a safer environment for our children, cyclists, and drivers alike. Thanks again for supporting your Pipestone Area Schools! Stay proud Arrows!
