It’s that time of year – barbeques, swimming, bicycling and kids playing. With all this activity neighborhoods become very busy. “Keep Kids Alive – Drive 25” campaign will be promoted, between June 18 and 25 and will appear in 13 housing subdivisions to include yard signs with a variety of themed messages. Township resident Carol Winterhalter was instrumental in orchestrating the campaign. For more information on the program visit www.keepkidsalivedrive25.org.
Bob Gillenberger is a Community Manager/Owner of Rj Development Co. and one of sign sponsors for the Keep Kids Alive Drive 25 Program. As a Property Community Manager of multiple housing complexes, Gillenberger sees firsthand the dangers of speeding drivers and the accidents that can occur when individuals don’t pay attention to their surroundings.
Driving Tips
Slow down and eliminate distractions while driving. Accidents can occur with:
• Children often play in and around streets. They may suddenly run out in front of a car to chase a ball without looking.
• Roadway obstructions. Neighborhood streets can become crowded with all kinds of obstructions, such as parked cars, trash and recycling bins, and bags of leaves or discarded materials. Children, pets, and others may dart out between parked cars or from behind obstructions without warning.
• Blind corners. Sometimes it can be hard to see around corners because of blocking trees, bushes, mailboxes, light poles, fences, or other obstructions.
• Pedestrians crossing. Kids walking to or from school or people walking around the neighborhood with kids or pets may cross the street at the corner or in the middle of the street, sometimes without looking both ways.
• Bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles. These two-wheeled vehicles have as much of a right to use the road, as do automobiles.
Safety Tips
To avoid having an accident it is important for drivers to respect others’ use of the road in residential areas:
• Drive slowly. By driving at or under the reduced speed limit in neighborhoods you can prevent a severe accident.
• Exercise caution at intersections and turns. Look in all directions for potential hazards. If there are children nearby, know that there is a possibility that they will walk out in front of you without looking.
• Don’t tailgate slower vehicles. Be polite towards bicycles and scooters and keep a safe following distance until you can clearly pass them at a passing distance of greater than three feet.
• Give pedestrians the right of way. Look for people in the road or people who are looking to cross, and slow down or stop for them especially if there is a crosswalk.
• Use your lights. At night, always use your headlamps to illuminate the road. It helps pedestrians see you.
Have a safe and happy summer.
About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group ~ bringing corporate level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long term basis. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies.
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