On your drive to work this week, you might notice a few more students walking.
School is back in session, and for many Erie’s Public Schools students, that means walking to and from school each day. Transportation is not able to be provided for elementary and middle school students who live within 1.5 miles of their school, or Erie High students who live within 2 miles.
That’s where Safe Routes to School comes in.
You may have noticed Safe Routes to School signs throughout the city. The routes are designed to help students find the safest way to walk to school. Through a partnership with Gannon University GIS program, students helped collect and analyze data on traffic, crime, hazards and other factors to identify safer walking routes.
Perry Elementary, a United Way Community School, is the newest school to receive Safe Routes to School signs. The project was made possible with support from Linda and Brian Graff, who donated the signs, along with the City of Erie, Gannon University, Erie County Data Center, and PennDOT.
As students head back to school, we all have a role in keeping them safe. Slow down in school zones, stay alert at crosswalks and intersections, and keep an eye out for students walking.
A little extra awareness on your drive can make a big difference for a student on their way to school.
But safe routes are only part of the equation.
Keeping students safe also depends on the people driving through our neighborhoods each day.
“Drivers should slow down and stay alert, especially around schools, school crossings, and areas where students are walking or biking,” said Kelly Michalski of the City of Erie’s Traffic Engineering Unit.
Children can be unpredictable and may enter the roadway unexpectedly or be difficult to see around parked vehicles.
The City of Erie is also continuing to pursue funding for pedestrian safety improvements, including federal Safe Streets and Roads for All funding, where our local advocacy efforts resulted in the inclusion of $2M for student walking safety strategies. These investments will support infrastructure upgrades and help identify areas across Erie where additional safety improvements are needed.
For drivers and parents, some of the most important things are also the simplest: obey school-zone restrictions, watch for students at crosswalks and intersections, and be mindful of where you park or stop during school drop-off and pickup.
As students make their way to school this year, slow down, stay alert and give them the space they need to get there safely