Two Accidents at Cordelia Hills Elementary
Cordelia Hills Elementary School in Fairfield, California, has been the site of two recent accidents involving children being hit by cars. The incidents occurred on two different days in October, according to information released by the Fairfield Police Department.
Details of the Two Cordelia Hills Accidents
The first accident near Cordelia Hills occurred on October 18th. Police indicate that a child darted in front of a car. The second took place on October 21st. A child and their patient were riding bicycles, and as they were crossing the street, a vehicle made a left-hand turn and hit the child.
According to police investigators, speed was not determined to be a factor in either collision. Thankfully, neither of the children was severely injured. The school district is working with the City to find ways to ensure that the area is safe for kids to walk and ride.
Watch the YouTube video. The clip below was posted by the California Highway Patrol. It discusses school zone safety.
Fairfield Police Issue Safety Reminders
In light of these recent incidents at Cordelia Hills Elementary, the Fairfield police issued safety recommendations for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists to keep in mind:
Safety Tips for Motorists
- Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists everywhere, always. The responsibility for safety is shared.
- Follow all rules of the road, including traffic signs and signals and right-of-way laws.
- Be extra cautious when driving in reduced visibility, such as at night or in bad weather conditions.
- Slow down and be ready to stop when approaching a crosswalk.
- Stop for pedestrians in crosswalks well before the line to give other cars notice that people are crossing so that they can stop as well. Relatedly, do not pass any vehicles that are stopped at a crosswalk because there may be people crossing that you are not able to see.
- Never drive impaired.
- Obey posted speed limits, particularly when there are pedestrians in the area and within residential neighborhoods and school zones.
- Use extra caution when backing up.
Safety Tips for Pedestrians
- Move predictably. Follow all rules of the roads.
- Use the sidewalks and designated crosswalks whenever available.
- If the road has no sidewalk, walk as far away from vehicles as possible in the opposite direction of traffic.
- Always stay alert with your eyes on the road.
- When crossing a street, look for vehicles in all directions, including those that may be turning.
- If there is no intersection or crosswalk, cross in a well-lighted area with a comprehensive view of all directions of traffic. Give yourself more than enough time to cross safely and keep your eye out for traffic as you cross.
- Make eye contact with drivers so that you know they see you. Do not assume they do.
- In the evening, wear bright or reflective clothing and carry a flashlight to increase your visibility.
- Be especially cautious near driveways and in parking lots.
- Do not walk near traffic while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
Safety Tips for Bicyclists
- Wear a properly fitted helmet that is securely fastened under the chin.
- Follow the rules of the road and ride in the same direction as vehicle traffic.
- Whenever possible, use the bike lane.
- Do not use electronics or listen to music while riding near traffic.
Fairfield Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thank you for visiting our legal blog and reading our report on the two recent pedestrian accidents near Cordelia Hills Elementary School. My name is Ed Smith, and I’m a Fairfield personal injury lawyer. For close to four decades, the experienced injury attorneys at our firm have been advocating for injured Fairfield residents. If you have questions following an accident, call us at (707) 564-1900 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly legal advice.
Photo: by Jonas Leupe via Unsplash
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