Full Notification

Cushing -  On Thursday August 16, 2018, Cushing Public Schools, will welcome in a new school year.  Like previous years, safety of the students, parents and motoring public is our top priority. 
 
Cushing police officers will be highly visible throughout our community enforcing both municipal and state traffic laws.  The enforcement is designed to target speeders; aggressive drivers and motorists who fail to stop for stopped school buses, as well as, pedestrians in designated crosswalks.
 
Chief Tully Folden said, “As always, we would like to encourage students, parents, and the motoring public to allow extra time for their commute as we begin the new school year.  This extra time will ensure the safety of both our children and the motoring public.”
 
As in years past, Cushing police officers will specifically target the school zone in the 1500 – 2200 blocks E. Main Street, where the speed limit is 25 mph when the lights are flashing.  Just as last school year, the lights will be activated at 8:00 a.m. and will remain active until 4:00 p.m. 
 
We would also like to offer the following safety tips for both our motoring public, as well as, our pedestrians:

Motoring Public:

- When dropping off children at school remember to stop in a safe location for you, your children and other drivers. It is always best to park nearest the shoulder of the roadway where it is legal to park. Whenever possible have the passengers exit the vehicle on the right (curb) side of the roadway. Never stop in a roadway or red curb areas to allow people to exit. This could cause an accident or other traffic congestion problems.

- Look out for the unexpected. With all the excitement of the first days of class some children may leave an area of safety and dart into the roadway. This is true of bicyclists as well. Young children are impulsive, and they will cross the roadway in mid-block, sometimes without looking for oncoming vehicles.

- Avoid distractions in the vehicle such as cell phones, texting, eating, drinking etc.

- Yield to all pedestrians in crosswalks or at intersections.

- Watch for school buses with flashing red lights.

Pedestrians:

- Accompany young children who are walking to school and show them the safest route.

- Cross the street in marked crosswalks whenever possible. If there isn't a crosswalk, cross the street at an intersection.

- When crossing a street wait until all vehicles have stopped before leaving the sidewalk. Just because one driver sees a pedestrian and stops, doesn't mean all the drivers see them.

- Don't run in the crosswalk.