Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – Wilson County School students will head back to school on Thursday, and the department will begin focusing on school zone safety. A Traffic Safety Blitz, focusing on school zone speed limits & hand-held phone use, will take place on the first day back. Officers will also provide extra attention in school zones and bus stop locations to ensure everyone is operating their vehicle safely throughout the school year.
“Students will be back at Stoner Creek Elementary, utilizing temporary classrooms, so all motorists should be mindful of the reintroduced school zone,” stated Chief James Hambrick. “The first couple of days of the school year can be a bit confusing for everyone as we all adjust to the traffic patterns. Members of the Command Staff will be monitoring the different dynamics, and we are prepared to adjust resources. I ask that our community members be patient and courteous so we can ensure our school zones are safe.”
In addition to the department’s strong relationship with school leadership, the department maintains an open line of communication with crossing guards so they can easily report unsafe drivers or any other safety issues within the city limits.
With unmarked traffic officers being deployed to school zones, digital radar speed signs will be placed to raise awareness. Mt. Juliet Police have four digital speed signs that display the speed of cars and visually warn drivers if they drive above the speed limit.
To ensure our school zones are safe this school year, Mt. Juliet Police offer the following suggestions:
- Parents are encouraged to visit their child’s school website to become familiar with the traffic plans for drop-off and pick-up at each school. Wilson County School’s website is http://www.wcschools.com/.
- Give yourself plenty of time in the morning! As traffic volumes and congestion on the roadways increase, so does the length of time it takes to travel to your destination. Giving yourself more time by leaving earlier reduces stress, increases your awareness, and improves your driving.
- Obey the posted speed limit signs and directional signs, including marked curbs. Signs and curb markings assist in the traffic flow into and out of the schools and assist in the safety of the students who walk and bike to school. One misplaced car can disrupt the traffic flow and the safety of our students.
- Be patient! Impatience leads to aggressive driving, rude or unwarranted behavior, pedestrian and bicycle collisions, and it creates traffic gridlock. Remember, everyone has the same goal: to get our children safely to and from school. Also, remember, the habits you exhibit in your driving and demeanor are typically passed on to your children when they start driving.
- If you drive your children to school, have them ready to leave the car with all of their belongings when you come to a stop at the school. Backups and delays are caused when children have to get their backpacks and other items from the trunk or back seat of a car. Explore other alternatives such as carpool, ride-sharing, walking, or biking to school.
- Watch and obey the school crossing guards. Crossing guards are provided to assist with school traffic and the safe crossing of your students across the surrounding streets near each elementary school. Be on the lookout, be prepared to stop, and be ready to follow their directions so our children can safely get to and from school.
Stopping for a School Bus Law:
###