Monday, Aug. 12, marks the first day of school for thousands of students across Orange County.
The Maitland Police Department Drivers encourages drivers to watch for students and buses. Use extra caution and slow down around school zones.
Here are some important pedestrian safety tips from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:
• Always walk on the sidewalk if there is one. If no sidewalks are present, walk against the direction of traffic so that you can see oncoming vehicles.
• Cross the roadway where pedestrians are expected, at corners or in crosswalks, and watch for traffic when crossing the street.
• Pay attention. Avoid headphones so that you can hear the traffic and pedestrians around you. Never text or look at your phone when crossing the street.
• Never enter the street from between parked cars. If crossing mid-block cannot be avoided, pedestrians must yield right of way to vehicles on the roadway.
• Follow pedestrian signs and signals. Pedestrians should yield right of way to vehicles if the crosswalk signal is red or “Don’t Walk.”