Important Traffic and Bike Safety Reminders!

Dear Dana Parents and Students,

We hope this email finds you well and that the school year has been off to a great start. The safety and well-being of our students, parents, and the community is our top priority, and we would like to take a moment to remind everyone about the importance of traffic and bike safety in and around our school. We also want to emphasize the importance of safety and diligent riding for Electronic Bikes and Scooters, also known as E-bikes, which have hospitalized many youth with serious and even deadly injuries.  

As we strive to create a safe and secure environment for all, here are some key reminders and recommendations to ensure the safety and protection of everyone:

Traffic Safety:

Obey Speed Limits: Please adhere to posted speed limits around the school, especially in school zones and parking areas. Slower speeds ensure a safer environment for everyone.

Crosswalks and Stop Signs: Always yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and stop at all stop signs. Let's be respectful and cautious when driving around school premises.

No Double Parking: Double parking can obstruct visibility for both drivers and pedestrians. Please avoid double parking when dropping off or picking up your child. To view the city of Arcadia’s traffic laws, which are enforced by the Arcadia Police Department, click here

Distracted Driving: It's crucial to avoid distractions such as texting or talking on the phone while driving. Your full attention should be on the road.

Seat Belts: Ensure that all passengers in your vehicle wear seat belts at all times. Safety starts with you!

E-Scooter and E-Bike Dangers and Safety Precautions:

We have seen an increase in the use of e-scooters and other motorized devices among students traveling to and from school. While these can be a convenient way to get around, they also present serious safety risks, especially in high-traffic areas near our campuses. Please remind your child that e-scooters must be ridden with extreme caution, at safe speeds, and in compliance with all traffic laws. Helmets are required for riders under 18, and sidewalks are generally not intended for high-speed devices. We strongly encourage families to discuss the importance of being alert, yielding to pedestrians, and avoiding distractions like cell phones or headphones while riding. Parents are strongly encouraged to provide safety training for their children for these high-speed devices that can significantly injure the rider and others.  

  • E-bike injuries in the U.S. jumped from 751 in 2017 to 23,493 in 2022.

  • E-scooter injuries rose from 8,566 in 2017 to 56,847 in 2022.

  • Children under 14 make up 36% of injuries, double their share of the population.

  • Head injuries are the most common serious harm; helmets can reduce risk by over 50%.

  • Injuries involving motor vehicles occur in about 1 in 3 e-bike crashes.

Bike Safety:

Helmets: Students who ride bikes to school must wear helmets. It's not only a requirement but a vital safety precaution.

Bike Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain your bike to ensure it's in good working order. Check the brakes, tires, and lights regularly.

Obey Traffic Laws: Bicycles are considered vehicles on the road, so cyclists must follow the same traffic laws as cars. Stop at stop signs, yield to pedestrians, and signal your turns.

Stay Visible: Use lights and reflectors, especially when riding in low-light conditions. Make yourself as visible as possible to drivers. Look before crossing, and always be looking around you for potential hazards. 

Safe Routes: Encourage students to use designated bike lanes or paths whenever possible. Always use caution when sharing the road with vehicles. Ride in the same direction as traffic, and stay in the bike lane whenever possible. Never use electronics while riding. 

For additional traffic and bike safety information, you can visit the U.S Dept. of Transportation website here. For additional information on Arcadia traffic laws and how to report an issue, you can visit the Arcadia Police Department website here

By adhering to these guidelines, we can collectively create a safer environment for our students and ensure the protection of everyone in the Arcadia community. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Please take a moment to discuss these safety reminders with your child, parents, and friends, emphasizing the importance of responsible and safe behavior when it comes to traffic and bike safety.

Thank you for your continued support, and let's work together to keep our community safe and secure.

Sincerely,

Frances Sambilay - Assistant Principal

Travis Long - Principal 

 

亲爱的 Dana 家长和学生:

希望您一切安好,也希望新学年已经有了一个良好的开端。学生、家长和社区的安全与福祉始终是我们的首要任务,我们想借此机会提醒大家注意校园内外的交通与自行车安全。我们还要特别强调电动自行车与电动滑板车(E-Bikes 和 E-Scooters)的安全与谨慎骑行的重要性。这类交通工具已导致许多青少年发生严重甚至致命的伤害。

为了为大家营造一个安全的环境,请牢记以下安全提醒与建议:


交通安全:

  • 遵守限速: 请遵守学校周边的限速规定,特别是在学校区域和停车场内。较低的车速能确保每个人的安全。

  • 人行横道与停车标志: 在人行横道处请始终礼让行人,并在所有停车标志前停下。在学校附近驾驶时,请保持谨慎和礼貌。

  • 禁止双排停车: 双排停车会阻挡驾驶员和行人的视线。接送孩子时请避免双排停车。要查看由阿卡迪亚警察局执行的交通法规,请点击此处。

  • 避免分心驾驶: 开车时请避免发短信或打电话,务必全神贯注于道路。

  • 安全带: 请确保车内所有乘客始终系好安全带。安全从您做起!


电动滑板车与电动自行车的危险与安全注意事项:

我们发现,越来越多的学生在上下学途中使用电动滑板车及其他电动交通工具。虽然这些方式便捷,但在校园周边交通繁忙的区域,存在严重安全风险。请提醒孩子:

  • 骑行必须极度谨慎,保持安全速度,并遵守所有交通法规。

  • 18 岁以下骑行者必须佩戴头盔。

  • 人行道通常不适合高速交通工具。

  • 我们强烈建议家长与孩子讨论保持警觉、礼让行人、避免使用手机或耳机分心骑行的重要性。

  • 我们也强烈鼓励家长为孩子提供相关安全培训,因为这些高速工具可能严重伤害骑行者本人及他人。

📊 数据提醒:

  • 美国电动自行车伤害从 2017 年的 751 例上升到 2022 年的 23,493 例。

  • 电动滑板车伤害从 2017 年的 8,566 例上升到 2022 年的 56,847 例。

  • 14 岁以下儿童占伤害人数的 36%,是其人口比例的两倍。

  • 头部受伤是最常见的严重伤害;佩戴头盔可降低 50% 以上风险。

  • 大约三分之一的电动自行车事故涉及机动车。


自行车安全:

  • 头盔: 骑车上学的学生必须佩戴头盔,这是规定,更是关键的安全措施。

  • 自行车维护: 定期检查和保养自行车,确保其处于良好状态。特别检查刹车、轮胎和灯光。

  • 遵守交通法规: 自行车在道路上被视为车辆,因此骑行者必须遵守与汽车相同的交通法规。请在停车标志前停下,礼让行人,并在转弯时打手势。

  • 保持可见性: 在光线不足时使用灯光与反光装置,让驾驶员能清楚看到你。过马路前要仔细观察,并时刻注意周围的潜在危险。

  • 安全路线: 鼓励学生尽可能使用指定的自行车道或路线。与机动车共用道路时要格外小心。请始终顺行于车流方向,尽量保持在自行车道内。骑行时切勿使用电子设备。


如需更多交通与自行车安全信息,您可以访问美国交通部网站。若需了解阿卡迪亚的交通法规或举报问题,请访问阿卡迪亚警察局网站。

通过遵守这些指南,我们能够共同为学生营造一个更安全的环境,并保障整个阿卡迪亚社区的安全。感谢您的配合。

请您抽时间与孩子、家人和朋友一起讨论这些安全提醒,强调在交通与自行车安全中负责任、安全行为的重要性。

感谢您一直以来的支持,让我们携手共建安全的社区。

此致
敬礼

Frances Sambilay —— 副校长
Travis Long —— 校长