With the start of the school year quickly approaching, the Hopkinton Police Department is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of students, parents and staff with the launch of its Back to School Safety Campaign.

The Back to School Safety Campaign is a collaborative effort between the Police Department, schools and the community to ensure a safe environment. Parents and guardians are encouraged to actively participate in the campaign by discussing safety measures with their children and reinforcing the importance of following safety guidelines.

“By working together, we aim to create a safe and supportive environment for all students for the start of the school year,” said Lt. Scott van Raalten, who is serving as acting chief this week while Joseph Bennett is on vacation.

One of the key initiatives of the campaign is enhancing traffic safety around schools, according to van Raalten. HPD will be increasing patrols in school zones to enforce traffic laws and ensure that drivers adhere to speed limits and traffic signs. Police urge drivers to be vigilant and cautious, especially in school zones, and to always prioritize the safety of students. By obeying traffic laws and being mindful of their surroundings, drivers can contribute to creating a safer environment for everyone.

The National Safety Council (NSC) provided the following tips for students and parents to safely get to school:

Walking to school

• Walk on the sidewalk, if one is available; when on a street with no sidewalk, walk facing the traffic.
• Before crossing the street, stop and look left, right and left again to see if cars are coming.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections.
• Stay alert and avoid distracted walking. Never walk while texting. If you need to respond to a text, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk. Never cross the street while using an electronic device. Do not wear earbuds while walking across the street.

Riding a bike to school

• Ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, and in single file.
• Come to a complete stop before crossing the street; walk bikes across the street.
• Stay alert and avoid distracted riding.
• Make sure your child always wears a properly fitted helmet and bright clothing.
• Helmets appropriate for bicycling should be worn by everyone — adults and children — on every bike ride regardless of length of the ride.

Riding the bus to school

• Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus.
• Teach your children to stand 6 feet (or three giant steps) away from the curb.
• If your child must cross the street in front of the bus, teach him or her to walk on the side of the road until they are 10 feet ahead of the bus; your child and the bus driver should always be able to see each other.

Driving your child to school

• Stay alert and avoid distracted driving.
• Obey school zone speed limits and follow your school’s drop-off procedure.
• Make eye contact with children who are crossing the street.

Safety tips for motorists

It is important that motorists be alert while driving, especially in school zones and residential neighborhoods. Children can be unpredictable and may ignore hazards and take risks. The NSC provides the following tips for motorists:

• Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic.
• In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection. Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign.
• Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas.
• Don’t honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.
• If you’re driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car.
• Never pass a bus from behind — or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road — if it is stopped to load or unload children. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.
• If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop.
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.
• When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist.
• The most common cause of collision is a driver turning left in front of a bicyclist. Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this.
• Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars.

Motorists are reminded that the Massachusetts Hands-Free Law requires drivers to stay off of all electronic devices while driving.

Van Raalten also shared some helpful information regarding parents’ use of social media when making back-to-school posts of their children.

“I would also encourage parents to be mindful of what they post on social media and take a moment to check their privacy settings,” said van Raalten. “Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and all other platforms are filled with images of young students ready to embark on a new school year. These posts often include the child’s name and age, as well as their school and teacher’s name. They also list the child’s favorite interests and activities, plus what profession they’d like to pursue when they grow up.

“The goal is not to share too much information, which could be used by predators and other criminals,” he explained. “Try to avoid any personal information such as their full name, grade, age, teacher’s name, school name and other distinctive characteristics.”

Added van Raalten: “Keep your post simple. Make it unique and memorable. Keep our children safe!”