School set to start, safety a priority Published Aug. 22, 2012 By Senior Airman Joel Mease 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- With the new school year for Abilene public schools starting Aug. 27, its important parents, drivers and children keep safety in mind. Before and after school hours, base housing will see increased foot traffic as the Delaware Street School gate will be open for pedestrian traffic only to and from Dyess Elementary. "Keep in mind, if you walk your child to school from the Delaware gate, take your ID card with you to get back on base," said Jack Wylie, 7th Bomb Wing deputy chief of safety. "It's also important to tell your children to comply with the crosswalk guard as they exit the gate onto the road." If a child decides to ride a bike to school, Dyess' rules on recreational objects must be followed. "Helmets are required for anyone riding bikes, skates, skateboards or scooters," Wylie said. "Bicycles are authorized on sidewalks only in base housing, Linear Air Park and to and from base housing. Due to the high volume of traffic pedestrians are not authorized on Arnold Boulevard." With school starting, expect traffic near the base to increase as well. "Jennings Street just outside the south base fence will be extremely busy with the elementary school in the mornings and midafternoons," Wylie said. For drivers, it's important to remember Texas has specific guidelines for cell phone use around school zones. "It's against the law to drive and talk on a cell phone without a hands-free device in a school zone," Wylie said. "As a general rule, if you're not dropping off or picking up a child, its best to avoid active school zones while driving." According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the majority of incidents occur when students are entering and exiting a bus. For Bus Riders . Line up facing the school bus door, not along the side of the school bus . Don't play in the street while waiting for the school bus . Carry your belongings in a backpack or book bag . Never reach under a school bus to get anything that has rolled or fallen underneath . After getting off the school bus, move immediately onto the sidewalk or road shoulder, out of traffic . Wait for a signal from the bus driver before you cross the street. Walk at least ten steps away from the front of the bus so that the bus driver can see you . Never cross the street behind the school bus For Walkers or Bikers . Never walk alone - always walk with a buddy . Pay attention to all traffic signals and instructions from crossing guards. Never cross the street against the light, even if there are no cars coming . Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle . Walk your bicycle across intersections . Wear reflective material to be more visible to street traffic . Anyone who rides in a car to school - or drives, in the case of older teenagers - needs to be particularly careful. Most traffic crashes occur close to home For Car Passengers and Drivers . Everyone in the car will wear a seat belt. They lower the risk of injury in the event of a crash by 45 percent . Motor vehicles are the leading cause of death for people age 15 to 18 years old. Remind your teenager to take extra precautions if he or she drives to school, or rides with another teenage driver . Make sure babies and young children are in safety seats at all times during a car ride