The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-09-18
SCHOOL CHILDREN s
SAFETY STRESSED.
HIGHWAY BULLETIN GIVES AD-
VICE TO PARENTS AND MOTOR
lists TO COOPERATE TO MAKE
THE HIGHWAYS SAFE FOR THE
CHILDREN.

With schools in most places in Min
nesota opening this week, or already
open, a State Highway bulletin makes
a timely plea for cooperation on the
part of motorists, parents, teachers and
others, in preventing accidents to
school children.
Motorists are urged to drive cautious
ly, not only near schools but at all
other places where children may be
playing or walking. The traffic act
makes definite provision for slowing
down when driving past schools during
the hours when children are going or
coming to school, and during recess.
But motorists should go farther, and at
all times be on the alert for youngsters
and others who may be crossing or
walking along the highway.
Parents and teachers are urged to
give frequent safety talks, warming
children of the dangers in the streets
and highways, and teaching them how
to avoid accidents. Children who must
walk along the highways should walk
on the left side, facing traffic They
should walk in groups, preferably in
single or double file, and should not be
scattered all over the road Groups
walking on both sides Of the road are
especially endangered.
One of the greatest dangers to
children lies in games which may cause
them to run suddenly into the street or
highway. A place for play should be
provided at a safe distance from the
road, or a fence erected to prevent
their running thoughtlessly into the
line of traffic. If this cannot be done,
games which involve the danger of
running into the road should be
avoided. The danger may be just as
great if the road carries light traffic,
as the children are less alert for pass
ing vehicles. Children should also be
taught that it is dangerous:
To ride in, or Jump into or upon any
vehicle without the consent of the
driver.
To stand in the roadway begging for
rides, or accept rides from strangers
To hitch bicycles, coaster wagons, to-
boggans or similar vehicles to any
motor vehicle.
Motorists are urged to use caution
when meeting or passing school buses,
both when the buses are travelling and
when they are picking up or discharg-
ing children. Bus drivers are urged to
use caution at all turns and inter-
sections and when passing or meeting
other vehicles. Attention is called to
the law requiring drivers of buses to
stop at all railroad crossings.
Organizing school patrols at all
schools is recommended. The student
patrols are not merely to guide children
across streets and highways, but they
can promote safety in a multitude of
other ways, by setting good example
and discouraging practices which lead
to accidents. A booklet giving infor-
nation on forming and conducting
school patrols may be obtained from
the State Highway department.
The State Highway patrol will assist
in forming patrols and solving traffic
problems wherever possible, but its
authority is limited to places on the
trunk highways. The American Lee
gion has volunteered to make school
safety one of its major activities and
it will take the initiative in forming
parols where none exist and will aid
and encourage them where they are
already functioning.