Warmer weather should be a reason to be cautious

Even though we’ve been on a temperature rollercoaster as of late, someday soon it will get warmer and stay warmer. There are some things to keep in mind as summer approaches.
Kids are going to be playing outside more, and they don’t always remember to play safely. Case in point: there was a news story on television recently, showing the dashcam of a Bellefontaine police officer driving down a city street when a little boy ran into the street from between parked cars. Fortunately, the officer was able to come to a stop, but only inches from hitting the little boy. That could have had a tragic ending had it not been for the instant reaction from the officer.
Parents need to teach their kids not to go out into the streets unsupervised…period! They should be taught to get a parent or other adult to retrieve a ball or whatever has gone into a street. Remember that kids are going to mimic their parents, so parents should not jaywalk with their kids in tow, which sets a very poor example, Likewise, if there is a traffic light, parents should only cross with a green light.
Drivers need to pay close attention to what is going on around them and not be driving while distracted. Think how you would feel if a child ran out into traffic in front of you while you were trying to text and you hit that child. It’s also the time for motorcyclists to be out in greater numbers. Motorists and motorcyclists should use extra caution when sharing the road. Drivers should check if there are motorcycles in their blind spot when changing lanes, making a turn, or entering a freeway or expressway.
Bicyclists need to know they must follow traffic laws, the same as people driving cars. Bicyclists can be given traffic citations if they break traffic laws.
If you have a golf cart you want to use on the road, it must first be licensed and insured just like a car and it must be equipped like a car. You can’t just stick a slow-moving vehicle sign on it. It can be expensive to convert a golf cart to be legal to use on the streets, so keep that in mind before you buy a golf cart if you intend to drive it on the street.
It’s also the time of the year for road repair and construction. Be mindful of flaggers informing drivers they either have to stop or can proceed at a reduced speed. Every year, construction workers are injured and killed by drivers who aren’t paying attention as they approach and drive through construction zones.
In most cases, fines for traffic violations that occur in a construction zone are doubled.
During warmer weather, there are usually more people who are jogging in the streets and on the roadway. Joggers and people walking on the roadway for exercise are urged to wear brightly colored clothing and/or reflective vests. It’s best if joggers and walkers stay off the roadways or close to the edge of the roadway to give drivers more room to go past them.
These are just a few of the things that occur more often during warmer weather that you should be more aware of. The key is to pay more attention and be vigilant, avoiding an event that could have tragic consequences.
This article is a public service from the Community Policing/Crime Prevention Division of the Lake Township Police Department. Township residents may obtain further information on crime prevention and public safety topics by contacting Ron Craig, crime prevention specialist/community policing officer, at 419-481-6354.