Walk and bike — safely, UDOT says

As springlike weather rolls into the state, the Utah Department of Transportation is encouraging students to walk and bike to school and offering a few reminders to help keep kids safe.

The Student Neighborhood Access Program is part of the statewide Safe Routes to School Program issued through UDOT Traffic and Safety and administered by the Federal Highway Administration. The programs are designed to work with schools and communities to increase the number of children walking and biking safely to school. Every elementary school in the state is required to have a SNAP safe route plan — a measure that UDOT's director for traffic and safety, Robert Hull, said not only enhances safety but offers a variety of other benefits.

"There are many advantages to walking and biking to school, and our goal is to get them there safely," Hull said. "With SNAP, educators carefully determine the safest routes for students to walk or ride their bicycles to school. By following the SNAP plan and these simple walking and biking tips for spring, we hope more students and parents will take advantage of the health benefits, fuel savings, air quality improvement, traffic reduction and other advantages of walking and biking to school."

As part of the program, UDOT is also providing a number of safety tips for parents and children:

When crossing a street at a crosswalk, look left, then right, then left again before stepping into the road. It is important to pay attention to any approaching or turning vehicles and cyclists as well as stopped cars while you are crossing the street.

Make sure the drivers are coming to a complete stop before stepping into a crosswalk.

Always wear a helmet when riding a bike. Make sure the helmet has a safety certification and that it fits properly.

Wear bright clothing, especially when you ride bicycles, to make it easier for traffic to see you — or tie a bright handkerchief around your backpack.

Never walk or ride with headphones. They are distracting and keep you from hearing the traffic.

Avoid ditches and be careful around rivers and streams. During spring, run-off water can make shallow rivers and creeks faster and deeper.

In rainfall, hold your umbrella above eye level and look up. Don't allow the umbrella to block your view of traffic and signs. Use a bright umbrella as drivers' views are likely to be distorted by the rain.

For parents:

Contact your school to obtain your Student Neighborhood Access Program plan and make sure your children are familiar with the safest walking and biking routes.

Teach your children to obey walking and biking safety rules.

Organize a "walking school bus" in your neighborhood: Parents take turns being the "driver" and picking up or dropping off children at designated stops along the walking route.

If you drive, use extra caution around schools and double-check your front and back areas before pulling away.

E-MAIL: araymond@desnews.com