Many Vanderburgh County students have already returned to school and the rest will begin tomorrow. That means a large number of buses on the roads, children getting on and off the buses, new bus stop locations, new bus routes, congestion in and around the schools, new student drivers and many other factors to be aware of as our kids return to the classrooms.
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office will be stepping up our presence and enforcement around the schools and on bus routes to help make sure this school year is safe for everyone. The Sheriff’s Office will significantly increase patrols and personnel near all of the schools in Vanderburgh County located outside of the corporate city limits of Evansville for several days. Deputy Sheriffs will be watching for any and all types of unsafe driving behavior. We hope that our presence will serve as a reminder and a deterrent, but it will also put us in a position to respond immediately to any situations that arise at or near these schools. Deputies will also be monitoring various bus routes for safety issues, especially school bus stop arm violations.
At many locations, Sheriff’s Deputies will be assisting school personnel with traffic direction in and out of the school parking lots and drop off zones.
The Vanderburgh County Highway Department has placed large school zone warning signs near all of these schools to help warn drivers.
Tips for back to school safety:
• If bus service is available, please utilize it.
• While we know for many, this year may bring the first day of school for your child, please take pictures before you get to the school. Please do not park in the drop-off zones of any of the schools to take your child into class.
• Utilize the proper restraint systems in your vehicle.
• Keep your speed to a minimum and pay extra attention in an around school zones and near school bus loading areas.
• Know when a school bus stops and its red stop sign or flashing lights appear children are boarding or exiting the bus. Be on the lookout for children crossing the street even after the bus has moved on.
• Please, no cell phone use in the school zones while operating a vehicle and no texting at any time while operating a vehicle.
• Encourage children getting on and off school buses to be very mindful of surrounding traffic, because the traffic may not be watching for them.
• Give yourself plenty of time. Do not let the frustration of running late compromise the good driving decisions you make.
• Please call 911 to report dangerous driving situations.
The men and women of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office wish everyone a safe and successful school year.
