JCF issues safety tips for back-to-school rush

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has issued a series of safety precautions for parents and schoolchildren as the new school year is set to start on Monday.

The JCF anticipates the streets teeming with schoolchildren heading to and from school, and said it was imperative for persons to recognise the potential hazards that come with travel on the roads. The JCF, in a media release, has advised pedestrians to 'pause', 'observe' and 'listen' as they traverse the roadways.

"At the heart of road-crossing etiquette lies a cardinal rule: halt, look both directions, and listen intently for approaching traffic. Parked cars and the approach of bicycles and motorcycles all deserve your consideration. The responsibility of imparting this principle rests with parents, who ought to guide their offspring in mastering this essential skill," the JCF said.

Parents, especially those of children just embarking on their inaugural journeys to school, are encouraged to accompany them until they gain familiarity with their chosen routes. The JCF also advised youngsters to steer clear of roadside play.

"Playing near bustling thoroughfares can swiftly transition into peril. Roads are no playground, and serious consequences can be the fruit of recklessness or negligence. Parental vigilance in guarding against these perils is indispensable," the release said.

Parents are urged to familiarise their children with pedestrian crossings, and, in cases of scarcity, it is recommended that they teach children to cross in areas away from busy intersections and where a full view of oncoming traffic is absent.

"Parents must instil the notion that group travel is preferable when journeying to and from school. Travelling in a group can minimise the vulnerability to potential threats, particularly abduction and other crimes like robbery," the JCF said. "The practice of walking in the direction of oncoming vehicles is paramount. On one-way streets, heightened vigilance to rearward traffic is essential." The JCF added that parents must remember that children mirror their surroundings.

"Parents should exemplify responsible behaviour on the road, for their actions shape the behaviour of their children."