Safety for the School Year

With school back in session, Marco Island Police would like to ask all drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians to work together in keeping our Marco Island students safe. "Child safety starts with us all. Marco Island Police Department is committed to road safety through education, prevention, and enforcement. Officers reward children when they observe them practicing bicycle safety with a coupon for free ice cream from Sweet Annie's or Slurpee from 7-Eleven." Chief Tracy Frazzano.

Driveway Safety

• Teach children never to play in, on, around, or under vehicles. Keep toys or bicycles off the driveway.
• Designate safe play areas for your children off the driveway and away from vehicles.
• If children play in the driveway, have an adult supervise.
• Keep vehicles in driveways or garages locked and store keys out of children's reach to avoid children getting in a car and turning it on or moving it by accident.

When backing out of the driveway or parking spot:

• Turn off your radio to better hear your surroundings. Roll down windows to listen for children or pedestrians.
• Know your vehicle's blind spots and look again before backing. Check your rearview and side mirrors.
• Keep your foot on the brake until you shift entirely into reverse. Look directly through the rear window and back out slowly.
• Look both ways, especially over a sidewalk or other areas where children or pedestrians are present, like school zones and residential areas.

Pedestrian Safety for Motorists

• Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility. Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times.
• Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that you can't see.
• Pedestrians should cross at crosswalks and utilize the pedestrian crossing lights.

Pedestrian Safety for Parents and Children

• Never enter the street from between parked cars. If crossing mid-block cannot be avoided, pedestrians must yield right of way to vehicles on the roadway.
• Be seen. Wear bright, reflective colors on clothes, shoes, hats, and wristbands. Carry a flashlight when walking at night.
• Pay attention. Avoid wearing headphones to hear the traffic and pedestrians around you. Never text or look at your cell phone when crossing the street.

Bicycle Safety for Motorists

• Drivers MUST give bicyclists a minimum of three feet of clearance when driving alongside or passing them. It's the law.
• When turning, yield to any bicyclist in the bike lane and make your turn behind the cyclist.
• Avoid using high beam headlights when you see a bicyclist approaching. Before opening a car door, check for bicyclists who may be coming from behind.
• When lights are flashing at a crosswalk, you must stop for the pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Bicycle Safety for Parents and Children

• Ensure all bicycle equipment is in working order (brakes, gears, tires, etc.).
• All bicycle riders and passengers under the age of 16 are required by Florida Law to wear a helmet. Always wear a properly fitted helmet and securely fasten the strap.
• Pay attention. Do not wear headphones so that you can hear the traffic and pedestrians around you. Never text and ride.
• Ride in the same direction as traffic and stay as far to the right as possible. Use bike lanes whenever you can.
• Obey all traffic laws, including signs, signals, and lane markings, when riding on the roadway. If crossing a road upon or along a crosswalk, abide by pedestrian crossing guidelines.
• Never attach yourself or your bike to any vehicle on a roadway.
• If riding between sunset and sunrise, Florida Law requires that the front of the bike has a headlight lamp that exhibits a white light visible for 500 feet, and the rear of the bike has a tail light lamp and reflector visible for 600 feet.
• Cross at intersections and never pull into the roadway between parked cars.
• If riding on the sidewalk or in a crosswalk, yield to pedestrians. Give them an audible signal (such as "passing on your left") before overtaking and passing them.