To reduce energy usage, pollution, and traffic congestion in neighborhoods, consider walking or bicycling with your children.

If you need to drive, follow these safety tips:

• When picking up children in the afternoon don’t arrive too early and hinder the movement of traffic in the neighborhood around the school.
• Wait in a single line and leave enough room so an emergency response vehicle would be able to get through.  
• Don’t block driveways, mailboxes, disabled parking spaces, or fire hydrants, and don’t park on lawns.
• Don’t block access to or the view from side streets. 
• Don’t back out onto any street from the school parking lot or from a side street.   
• Try to arrange your drop off/pickup time after the peak rush hour and use designated loading and unloading areas.
• Always heed signs and the directions of school and law enforcement officials.
• Always obey posted speed limits and other traffic laws.
• Act as you would want people to act if it were your neighborhood.
• Be patient and understand that walkers, bicyclists, and school buses are trying to exit the school, too.
• Always ensure that you and your passengers buckle up.
• Never talk on a cell phone or engage in other distractions while driving.