Keeping kids safe on the way to school - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - School will be back in session next week and the La Crosse Police Department reminds motorists to keep an eye out for kids.

Remember to stop for school buses with flashing red lights even if you are approaching from the opposite direction. And keep in mind that children can act erratically and slow, defensive driving can prevent injury and loss of life.

"Use common sense, you know." said Sergeant Randy Rank of the La Crosse Police Department. "Think of it as your children on his or her way to school. And what you would want to do, and how you'd want other drivers driving in these situations."

Sgt. Rank also suggests parents practice going to school with their children.

"I would highly suggest that the parents, if they're taking them to school for the first time, both take them to school and pick them up," said Sergeant Rank. "So we know approximately how long it takes, the safest routes from their house to school and back again."

Parents should also make sure their children to know to look both ways before crossing the street and to be defensive and assume cars have not seen them.