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Minturn chief offers safety tips

MINTURN, Colorado – Minturn Police Chief Lorenzo Martinez offers the following safety tips as children head back to school:

For drivers:

• Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.



• Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.

• Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.

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• When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling.

• Learn the flashing signal light system that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions. Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus is stopped and that children are getting on or off the bus. Motorists must stop and wait. The Minturn Police Department has a standing zero tolerance policy for those who choose to violate this state and municipal traffic law.

For children:

• Get to the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.

• When the bus approaches, stand at least 6 feet away (at least three giant steps) from the curb and line up away from the street.

• Wait until the bus stops and the door opens before stepping toward the bus.

• If you have to cross the street in front of the bus, be sure the bus and traffic have come to a complete stop, and walk about 10 feet (at least five giant steps) in front of the bus as you cross.

• Use handrails to avoid falls. When exiting the bus, be careful that clothing with drawstrings and backpacks with straps don’t get caught up in the handrails or doors.

• Never walk behind the bus.

• If you drop something near the bus, tell the driver. Never try to pick it up because the driver may not be able to see you.


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