Traffic Safety

School Zone Safety Tips 
Now that the children are back in school, the Decatur Police Department has increased enforcement of violations in school zones. Driver and pedestrian safety should be on everyone's mind. 

Many children are walking and biking to school, and younger children often lack the skills to negotiate traffic safely. Help them to walk safely by stressing the following safety rules.

• Walk on available sidewalks.
• Always cross at intersections.

When crossing intersections without signals or crossing guards:

• Stop before stepping into the road.
• Increase visibility and indicate crossing intention.
• Look in all directions.
• Listen for traffic.
• Cross safely when the road is clear.
• Walk, do not run or cycle directly across the road.
• Use the buddy system whenever possible.

When crossing intersections with signals:

• Push button (where they exist).
• Wait for the pedestrian walk signal.
• Increase visibility and indicate crossing intention.
• Look and listen for traffic.
• Walk carefully, watch for turning motorists.

When crossing with the assistance of an adult crossing guard, children should cross under the guard's direction. 

For Drivers 
Back to school means more children walking and biking on our roads. Because younger children often have limited experience with traffic – and lack the skills to negotiate traffic safely – motorists need to take special care while driving. Help our children walk safely to school by following these important safety rules.

• Reduce speed in school zones.
• Be aware of school zone signage.
• Be ready to stop at all times. Children do not always notice oncoming traffic.
• Always try to make eye contact with children wanting to cross the road.
• Be patient and wait for children to complete their crossing before proceeding.
• Obey all yield, stop and traffic signal controls. It's the law.
• Stop when a STOP paddle is held up by a crossing guard. 

What to Do When Stopped by the Police 
A traffic stop is one of the most frequent encounters between citizens and police. Usually, police officers will pull a vehicle over if they have reason to believe that some offense has occurred. You may feel anxious, irritated at the delay, or concerned about a possible citation. However, officers are also concerned about possible threats to their personal safety while performing their duties. 

These recommended procedures will ensure that the traffic stop can be completed quickly and safely. This is not provided as a legal advisory but as a courtesy to you: 

• When signaled by an officer, safely pull over to a place out of traffic flow.
• Sit calmly, with your hands visible on the steering wheel.
• If you have passengers, ask them to sit quietly with their hands visible.
• Avoid sudden movements or ducking in the seat; these actions can unnecessarily alarm the officer.
• If it is dark, turn on your inside light when you pull the car over.
• For safety reasons, the officer will want to visually scan the car's interior before proceeding.
• Do not exit your car unless the officer asks you to step out. If you are asked to do so, comply in a calm manner. A sure way to put an officer at ease is to communicate what you are doing.
• If the officer asks for something, and that item is in your glove compartment, tell the officer it is in there before you reach for it.
• If you receive a citation, accepting it is not an admission of guilt but an acknowledgment that you have received the citation.
• A courtroom is a place to air arguments or protests about the citation, not on the street with the officer.
• If you are stopped for speeding, you have the right to request a check of the radar, but you do not have the right to see the radar unit (this only applies in Georgia). This is for your safety and the safety of the officer.