As summer wanes and classrooms beckon, the Maitland Police Department has a message for drivers in Orange County: be vigilant. With the new school year kicking off on Monday, August 12, there'll be an influx of young students and buses hitting the streets. The department has stressed the importance of reducing speeds and exercising increased caution in school zones, according to the City of Maitland.
In addition to watching for young pedestrians, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles offers safety tips for those on foot. This guidance, which can be essential in preventing accidents, includes walking on sidewalks where available, crossing at marked crosswalks, and always being alert -- which means no headphones or phones when crossing the road.
These safety protocols extend beyond just walking on the correct side of the road. According to the Maitland city website, if there's no sidewalk, pedestrians should walk against traffic to better see oncoming vehicles. This precaution is a simple act that can make a significant difference in visibility and, subsequently, safety.
It's not just about walking, crossing where pedestrians are expected, is crucial, but so is obedience to pedestrian signals. The Department advises, Following pedestrian signs and signals. Pedestrians should yield right of way to vehicles if the crosswalk signal is red or Don’t Walk. With school in session, road users, whether they're behind the wheel or on foot, should be well-versed in these rules for the sake of everyone's well-being.
