POLICE DEPARTMENT Back

to School Safety

It’s the time of year when children across the country go back to school. As part of our commitment to excellence, the Ruidoso Police Department offers a few school safety tips:

» Be aware of school zones on White Mountain Drive and Warrior Drive. Lights will be flashing, and fines doubled, so ALWAYS obey the slower speed limit during school times.

» Watch out for school crossing guards and obey their signals.

» Be c autious of children near schools, bus stops, sidewalks, streets, school parking lots, etc. Sometimes children get excited and run into traffic.

» Never pass other vehicles while driving in a school zone.

» Never change lanes while driving in a school zone.

» Never text while driving in a school zone.

» Avoid using a cell phone, unless it is completely hands-free, while driving in a school zone.

» Unl ess licensed to do so, never use handicapped or emergency vehicle lanes or spaces to drop off or pick up children at school.

» Make a habit of arriving at the bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled arrival of the bus.

» Ma ke sure your child stays out of the street and avoids excessive horseplay while waiting for the school bus.

» Be sure the bus comes to a complete stop before getting on or off.

» Do n ot walk in the bus driver’s “blind spot” — this is the area from the front of the bus to about 10 feet in front of the bus.

» Whe n dropping your child off at school, be sure to have them ready to exit your vehicle once you come to a complete stop, this avoids motorists behind you having to stop in the roadway.

As always, please be courteous and kind. Let’s have a great 2023-2024 school year!