New Orleans Health Department Reminds Residents of Reactivated School Zones

Press Release edited by:
Leonard "Lenny" Vasbinder
August 08, 2018

NEW ORLEANS — This month, the City of New Orleans' Health Department (NOHD) reminds residents that school zones will be reactivated in August 2018 ahead of students returning to school. Drivers are encouraged to drive at or below the speed limit, stay alert and put away phones while driving.

School zones are a safety focus for the city. Drivers can expect to see enforcement of 20 MPH school zone speed limits, freshly painted crosswalks for students and an increasing number of NOPD-trained community crossing guards. These improvements, and more to come are coordinated by the NOHD's Safe Routes to Schools program.

Safe Routes is a national program that promotes safe travel for students through techniques of education, encouragement, engineering, enforcement, and evaluation. The ultimate goals of the program are: improving travel safety; encouraging the healthy habits of walking and biking to school; and reducing air pollution and traffic congestion. The New Orleans Safe Routes program is accepting new schools to the program for the 2018-2019 school year to assess their school zones, make plans to improve safety, and coordinate City departments to address hazards.

Everyone is encouraged to do their part to ensure a safe, healthy and successful school year.

Back to School Tips from NOHD:

Driving in School Zones — Obey all posted signs in school zones including: 20 MPH speed limits, no cell phone use, and stopping for children crossing the street. The New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) will be conducting traffic enforcement in school zones across the city.

Riding to school — Parents dropping off their children at school should familiarize themselves with their school’s arrival and dismissal policies. Children should exit vehicles at the curbside, away from traffic. When arriving or leaving the school campus, drivers should watch for other children.

Walking to school — Consider whether your child is ready to walk to school as a healthy way to start the day. Help plan their route to school and walk with your child the first few times. You may also want to find another child in the neighborhood with whom your child can walk to school. Be sure to review traffic safety rules with them and remind them not to talk to strangers.

Biking to school — If your child bikes to school, help them plan their route and remind them of the rules of the road. Bike riders should always wear a helmet and bike in the same direction as traffic, riding as straight and predictably as possible.

Riding the schoolbus — Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before approaching it from the curb. Wear a seatbelt on the bus if it is equipped with one. Do not move around on the bus, and keep heads and arms inside the bus while riding. Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before getting up to exit and then check both ways before exiting the bus.

Preparing for the school day — Children should eat a healthy breakfast to concentrate at school and may need help packing their backpacks. A backpack should never weigh more than 10 to 20 percent of a child’s body weight.

Learn more about the NOHD programs around travel safety at www.nola.gov/health/bicycle-and-pedestrian-safety 

About the NOHD:

The mission of the nationally accredited NOHD is to protect, promote and improve the health of all where we live, learn, work and play. NOHD is committed to building a healthy New Orleans through equitable social and environmental conditions and through policies, programs, and partnerships that promote health. Learn more at www.nola.gov/health.