The Newberg-Dundee Police Department and the Newberg School District want to remind parents and drivers about safety as the new school year approaches.

Parents are reminded that if their children are waiting roadside for a school bus, they should: 

• have their child wear clothing colors and / or have backpacks that will contrast with the environment - this will be especially important as the colder fall and winter months approach.
• remind their child to stay out of the roadway and away from passing traffic.
• remind their child to stay out of the roadway and back away from the bus so that the bus driver has room to safely operate the bus and open the door for the child.
• remind your child not to text and walk, especially while wearing headphones, as this can lead to distraction and mistakes of walking into traffic.

Students who ride their bicycle or skateboard to school must wear a helmet and stop for stop signs. Additionally, they should also wear clothing colors or have backpacks that contrast with the environment.

Drivers are reminded to stay alert and stay off their phones. This is especially so for texting. Texting while driving is illegal and is a significant driving distraction that can lead to serious injury or death. Drivers must insure they yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk or on a sidewalk driveway entry.

Drivers must also stop for the flashing bus safety lights when you approach a school bus from either direction when traveling on the same roadway and must remain stopped until the bus safety lights are no longer flashing. Drivers must also stop for school traffic patrol monitors who assist children through crosswalks.

Drivers should reacquaint themselves with our local school zones and be watchful for signs and symbols indicating when a school zone begins and ends and to operate their vehicle accordingly. The speed limit in all school zones are 20 mph.

Following a school bus and having more children on our roadways, both on foot and on bicycles, can add to one’s travel time. Drivers should plan ahead and allow themselves extra time to get to their destination while still allowing for the highest level of safety for our school children.

The Newberg-Dundee Police Department also reminds motorists, bicyclists, skateboarders as well as pedestrians that we will be focusing on school zones and routes as the new school year begins. In addition, officers will be monitoring traffic and enforcing traffic laws related to student safety as the school year progresses.

Finally, it is imperative for students who walk or who ride their bicycle or skateboard to school, to recognize and remember that they must take personal responsibility for their safety and must remain alert.

Sharing the roadway safely is everyone’s responsibility.