STAY ALERT By: Robert Hubner, Director, Woodbridge Police Department

Now that summer vacation is over and our students have returned to school, I thought it would be a good opportunity to ask both our motoring public and pedestrians alike to stay alert. Both drivers and pedestrians have an obligation by law to obey some simple rules that will help avoid accidents and injuries.
Motorist must stay alert at all times, but especially within school zones and near school bus stops. School zones are clearly marked, as are almost all crosswalks in and around schools. Most intersections that are heavily used by students have crossing guards present who have the responsibility of making sure our children stay safe while crossing streets. The students also have a responsibility of crossing at the crosswalks manned by the crossing guards and obeying their instructions. Students should never walk out into the street from between vehicles or attempt to cross at mid-block.

Motorists must also exercise caution at school bus stops and remember to never pass a school bus that has its red lights flashing and crossing arm down. Motorists must be mindful that pedestrians have the right of way once they have entered a crosswalk and must remain stopped till the pedestrian has crossed the road. Pedestrians who are entering a crosswalk should never assume that a vehicle has seen them and should always give a vehicle the opportunity to stop before crossing.

At a traffic light controlled intersection, pedestrians must cross with the green light and motorists should always remember that an amber signal does not mean speed-up to make the light before it turns red, but to slow down and prepare to stop.

The WPD has been addressing another traffic safety concern that affects both pedestrian and drivers. The “Distracted Driver” – those individuals that operate a motor vehicle while either talking on a cell phone or are texting while driving. The WPD has conducted a number of Distracted Driver enforcement initiatives and it never fails to surprise the officers working the detail just how many people are using their cell phones while operating a vehicle. A phone call or text message can wait! If the call or text is that important, pull off to the side of the road in a safe area and then use the phone.

The Woodbridge Police Department will continue to conduct traffic safety enforcement efforts to better protect pedestrians and motorists – we all have a responsibility to obey traffic laws and stay alert.