With school out for the summer, more children are spending their days outdoors riding bikes, walking trails, and enjoying neighborhood parks.
The Brownsville Police Department is reminding motorists, parents, and children to make safety a priority as activity increases across the city.
Police say drivers should stay alert along busy routes such as Boca Chica Boulevard, Galveston Road, Ruben Torres Boulevard, and the trails connecting Morningside and Oliveira Parks.
“For operators, it’s very important now that the kids are out for summer, that they’re out playing in the street, playing basketball, running, driving their bicycle, it’s very important that they stay aware, stay off their phones,” said Abril Luna with the Brownsville Police Department. “One look down and you can cause an accident.”
Police say safety is a shared responsibility. Children riding bicycles should wear helmets, use reflective gear when needed, and follow the same traffic signs and signals as drivers.
“It’s very important that cyclists follow the same rules of the road as the operators,” Luna said. “Follow the stop sign, follow the lights. If it’s not your turn, then don’t do it because you’re following the same rules of the road.”
Parents are also encouraged to make sure children are properly secured in car seats and seat belts when traveling this summer.
As families continue spending more time outdoors through August, officials say a little extra awareness can help prevent accidents and keep Brownsville’s children safe all summer long.
Source: City of Brownsville
