Safe Routes to School

Student safety is so important to the entire Kuna community. Recently, in both Kuna and the surrounding school districts, there have been incidents of accidents and unsafe driving where students have been injured or have resulted in near misses. A reminder for all drivers to adhere to posted school zone speed limits. Students who walk, ride bikes, scooters, e-bikes, or e-scooters to school need to be aware of their surroundings, especially on dark mornings or when snow or ice are on the ground. It is difficult for vehicles to see pedestrians in the dark when students wear dark clothing. When students have headphones or Bluetooth helmets, they cannot hear approaching traffic, making it even more difficult to be aware of their surroundings.

Students should wear clothing that allows them to be seen. They should be aware of their surroundings, including being able to see and hear approaching traffic or voice directions. Students who ride bikes, scooters, e-bikes, or e-scooters should wear a helmet and follow the rules of the road. One rule I was not aware of is that if you ride a scooter, e-scooter, bikes, e-bikes when you get to a crosswalk, you need to walk them through the crosswalk. They also need to be aware of pedestrians. Pedestrians have the right of way. Students need to walk all bikes and scooters on campus, they may not ride them on campus.

Parents, please talk to your children about road safety and their awareness of their surroundings when walking or riding to school, especially when it's dark. Together, with improved safety protocols and awareness, we could help save a child's life.