Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • September 11, 2013 Franklin Lakes Police announce back-to-school safety campaign In a continuing effort to ensure traffic safety through education and enforcement, the Franklin Lakes Police Department has initiated “Operation Safe School Zones,” a back-to-school traffic safety campaign. The campaign is designed to educate motorists, parents, and children regarding accident prevention and safe pedes- trian movement in school zones. Operation Safe School Zones began Sept. 9 and will continue through Sept. 20. Additional traffic education and enforcement efforts will remain in place throughout the 2013-14 school year. Taking an aggressive enforcement approach, the pro- gram focuses on motorists who fail to stop for pedes- trians in crosswalks, fail to stop for crossing guards, drive while distracted through the school zone, speed in school zones, illegally pass school buses, block cross- walks, illegally stop or park to drop off children in no stopping zones, and fail to wear (or ensure that their children wear) safety belts. The police department’s increased traffic safety program will be accomplished by assigning additional officers to traffic education and enforcement responsibilities during the first two weeks of the new school year. In addition, message sign boards will be used and literature will be distributed to notify motorists to exercise more caution now that schools are back in session. The beginning of the school year is a time when there is a greater risk of transportation related injuries to children. The risk is elevated as there are more chil- dren on the road each morning and afternoon, new driv- ing patterns, and fewer daylight hours. Traffic is always congested at the beginning of a new school year, so motorists are encouraged to plan accordingly and urged to be patient with other drivers. It is also important to drop and pick up children within areas designated by the schools. The Franklin Lakes Police Department encourages all motorists, parents, teachers, and students to practice safe driving and pedestrian habits. The police department asks motorists to slow down and obey traffic laws and speed limits, stop for pedes- trians in crosswalks, always stop for school buses that have stopped to load or unload children, keep the cross- walks at intersections unblocked, and be alert and ready to stop and watch for children, especially where there are no sidewalks. Students are urged to wear seatbelts when riding in a car and always ride in the back seat where it is the safest; wear a helmet, and follow safety rules when riding a bike; and learn and practice safety rules for waiting at the bus stop, getting on and off the bus, and riding the bus. Parents and teachers are encouraged to help children learn and practice the safety rules for walking, bicycling, or riding in a passenger car or school bus; supervising children walking or riding their bikes to school; and to be a good role model, wearing seat belts and crossing streets in the crosswalks.