Pinal County Sheriff’s Update
91st Installment
September, 2008
To The Citizens of Pinal County;
Folks, this month has been so busy for me that I really haven’t had time to write a monthly letter for all of you. So I went back through the archives and found a letter that is fitting and timely. It just so happens I found one from 2003 written by then Sheriff Roger Vanderpool. So without further delay, please find his letter below…
Until next month, thank you and God Bless.
Chris Vásquez
Sheriff
To The Citizens of Pinal County;
“The art of politics is not to believe what your friends tell you, but to understand what they cannot or will not tell you....” Jonas Savimbi
By the time this is printed most of the schools in Pinal County will be back in session. With the opening day of school comes an increase of traffic, especially near the schools, both vehicular and pedestrian. So this month I would like to provide some reminders of basic rules to help us continue safe guarding the children of our county.
With the rapid growth of the county, several new schools have opened their doors, so you may encounter a school crossing almost anywhere. School crossings will be marked by a yellow sign depicting two children walking. The maximum speed approaching a "marked" school crossing is 15 mph. Passing another vehicle in a school crossing is prohibited. Often times there will be a crossing guard to assist children crossing the street. You must follow the instruction of the crossing guard and must come to a complete stop when any person is in the crosswalk.
As you are driving on our streets and roadways, be cautious when you see children walking along the roadway or sidewalk, or riding their bikes. Often times their minds are on many things except safety. Be aware that they might suddenly dart out into the roadway for no apparent reason or to chase a ball or another child.
Drivers should also be aware that with new communities popping up all over the place, that there will be new bus routes, and buses will be traveling and stopping in areas where you hadn't seen them before. When approaching a school bus that is picking up or dropping off passengers, you must come to a complete stop before reaching the bus. The bus will have is alternating flashing lights and the mechanical stop-sign arm in operation while passengers are entering or leaving the bus. You must remain stopped until the bus moves ahead or until the stop-sign and flashing lights are no longer shown. Be ALERT, look out for children crossing the road in front of or behind the school bus. Motorists should exercise extreme care when in the vicinity of any stopped school bus, as a child may dart out in the roadway from any direction.
You are not required to stop for a school bus on a divided roadway while traveling in the OPPOSITE direction. A divided roadway is one in which the road is separated by physical barriers such as a fence, curbing or other separation of the pavement. Roadway striping or a turn lane does not constitute a physical separation of the roadway.
Remember, you are the adult, drive like one! And always buckle up you and your loved ones!
Till next month, be careful, and may God continue to bless us all and our great country.
Roger L. Vanderpool