With schools starting Monday, Sheriff’s Office asks drivers to think safety: Obey school zone speed limits, watch for students near schools and buses picking up or unloading; Buckle up kids in proper type seats

With St. Bernard Parish schools starting Monday, Aug. 13, the Sheriff’s Office is reminding drivers to think safety, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“Obey school zone speed limits in the mornings and afternoons,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Watch for students walking in the areas near schools and remember to buckle up your kids in proper seating for their age when driving them to or from school.’’

Be prepared for school buses to stop to pick up or unload students.

Also, the Sheriff’s Office will have extra patrols by deputies in school areas the first week and drivers should be cautious regarding the construction that has been going on at many schools in the parish, the sheriff said.

“It is so important for drivers to be aware of school zones, children walking to or from school and school buses stopping to pick up or drop off kids,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “You don’t want to have a mental lapse and make a mistake you would regret forever.”

Most school zone speed limits are 20 MPH, Sheriff Pohlmann said, and drivers who know where schools are located should start slowing down well before they reach a school zone.

Also, remember to buckle children in seats appropriate for their ages, the sheriff said.

“The back seat is the safest place seat for young kids,’’ he said. “Auto accidents are leading cause of death of children 5-15 years of age. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has said children up to age 12 are safest riding in the back seat.

Young children should be in rear-facing seats and never place a rear-facing infant seat on the front passenger seat because serious injury could occur if the airbag deploys and hits the child.

For full child passenger safety information, including where to find safety seat inspection stations, go online to www.nhtsa.gov to learn more.