FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 10, 2001

CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

SCDPS ANNOUNCES SCHOOL ZONE SAFETY WEEK

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety today announced that September 10 – 14 has been designated as South Carolina School Zone Safety Week. This designation comes as a result of budget proviso 36.20, which tasks DPS with serving as coordinator for this statewide initiative to promote safety in school zones.

"Children going to and from school are usually more focused on themselves and their school activities than they are on what’s going on around them," said DPS Director B. Boykin Rose. "When you also consider that motorists in school zones are often in a hurry to get somewhere or are trying to do other things besides drive, the results are often tragic."

The DPS Office of Highway Safety is working with local law enforcement agencies, school officials and emergency medical services personnel to increase public awareness of school zone safety throughout the week. The focus for this public education effort is on promoting safe driving behavior and on pedestrian safety, bicyclist safety and school bus safety.

"Our children are put in danger each and every day because people drive aggressively or carelessly in school zones, areas where our children should be the safest," said Max Young, Director, DPS Office of Highway Safety. "Although this week has been officially designated as School Zone Safety Week, improving school zone safety must be a top priority throughout the school year."

In addition to the Office of Highway Safety’s public education efforts, the Highway Patrol is leading the effort to step up enforcement in school zones, encouraging local law enforcement to make school zone enforcement a top priority.

"When people see an increased law enforcement presence, they slow down and they pay more attention to what’s going on around them," said Highway Patrol Col. Mike Kelley. "That’s what we want. But we’re prepared to issue citations and make arrests if motorists endanger our children by breaking traffic laws. We’ll do whatever it takes to keep our children safe."

Parents also must be involved in improving school zone safety. Parents are reminded of the importance of driving responsibly and defensively in school zones and are encouraged to take the time to talk with their young children about safety.

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JB/119/01

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