Safe Routes to School is an international movement that has taken hold in communities throughout the United States. The concept is to increase the number of children who walk or bicycle to school by funding projects that remove the barriers that currently prevent them from doing so. For more information about starting your Safe Routes to School program visit the Florida Department of Transportation.

Here in Hillsborough County, a “Vision Zero” goal resolution has been adopted by the Tampa City Council, Hillsborough County Commission, Temple Terrace City Council, and by the School Board of Hillsborough County. For more information, please visit Vision Zero.

Walk to School Day, an annual Safe Routes to School encouragement activity that lasts throughout October, brings together school administration, educators, students and parents to:

• celebrate the fun and healthy benefits of walking and bicycling to school
• promote traffic safety

The event also spotlights the need for the continued focus of the Florida Department of Transportation.

(FDOT) and Hillsborough County Public Schools to invest in safety improvements that create calmed traffic environments around school neighborhoods.

HCPS will be partnering with Hillsborough MPO School Transportation Work Group to expand its support to schools that seek to sustain walking activities throughout the school year.

Cross Safely

• Use designated crossing locations
• Be respectful of crossing guards
• Always stop at the curb edge, look left, right, and then left again
• When the street is clear, walk cautiously and deliberately, looking around the whole way

Be Alert

• Make eye contact with drivers who may be turning
• Watch for cars backing up

Be Aware

• Choose a walking route that is often used by other walkers, joggers and cyclists
• If you see someone suspicious, be prepared to change your course or go into a store or public building to avoid them
• Find other walking safety tips on the National Walk to School Day website

City of Tampa

• Street light out within city limits
• Traffic signal timing concerns

Hillsborough County

• Road and sidewalk requests

The City of Plant City

• Traffic Operations

The City of Temple Terrace

• Report a street sign concern
• Report a traffic complaint

Safety to and from School Campus

• Evaluate walking hazards for families who reside within 2 miles walking distance to and from school.

HCPS District Safety Office

• School bus loading zones
• Signage on school property
• School construction areas