Public Affairs Office

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Aug. 13, 2020) — Many schools are returning to session across Missouri. This year has already shown how unpredictable life is, with respect to what we can control and what we cannot. Below are some back-to-school safe driving tips for those actions we can control to ensure we have a safe school year.

For drivers:

— Buckle Up, Phone Down. These four words are never more important than during the school year. Looking away from the roadway to send a text message just increases the chance of being involved in a crash. Avoid using your cellphone or any other activity that might take attention away from the roadway. Set a good example for young passengers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled in.

— Expect the unexpected. When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school. Remember, children in groups or who are arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.

— Do not pass. It is a state law that vehicles in both lanes must stop when a school bus has its red warning lights flashing and the stop sign is extended.

— Slow down. Watch for school zones where speed limits are reduced. Law enforcement will be conducting focused patrols near schools to ensure the safety of those walking to and from school.

— When wearing a face covering, ensure your vision is not obstructed while driving.

For students:

Parents and caregivers should talk to children about bus-stop and traffic-safety rules. Here are a few tips:

— Always stay in sight of the bus driver. Make eye contact when possible. Assume drivers cannot see you and never walk behind a school bus.

— Don’t hurry off the bus. Make sure to check for traffic first.

— Use sidewalks where available. If you must walk in the street, walk single file facing traffic.

— Be alert. Avoid using cellphones, ear buds and hand-held games as they can be a distraction.

— Use caution. When crossing a street — in a crosswalk or at a corner — look left, then right, then left again. Wait until all cars are stopped or the road is clear before stepping out — that means all cars in all lanes in all directions.

(Editor’s note: Information provided by the Fort Leonard Wood Directorate of Emergency Services Traffic Management and Accident Investigations.)

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About Fort Leonard Wood

Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 80,000 military and civilians each year.

Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.

Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.

More information about Fort Leonard Wood is at: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/about/mission