TxDot shares safety rules with local kids

By: J. Leslie Riseden

Special Contributor to The Steel Country Bee

The title of the book is “Don’t Monkey Around with Safety in Your Neighborhood.” Marcus Sandifer, Public Information Officer for the Atlanta District of the Texas Department of Transportation, distributed these books to about 30 boys and girls at the Hughes Springs Area Library June 30, then they all read the story together. Through the adventures of a day in the life of Marigold and her brother Milton, the children learned about safety while playing outside.

Most importantly, Milton and Marigold learn about bike safety rules, such as wearing a helmet, riding close to the curb on the right side of the road, looking “left-right-left” before crossing a street, and using hand signals when planning to turn or stop. According to TxDot, younger children are often hurt if they don’t obey traffic signals or wear protective equipment when bicycling, rollerblading or skateboarding. This safety program was developed by the Law-Related Education Department of the State Bar of Texas, Law Focused Education, Inc. and the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center, with funding from TxDot and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. For more information about the program, visit www.texaslre. org or www.tmcec.com/drsr.

Check the Happenings section of the Bee for more fun and informative activities planned through July at the Hughes Springs Area Library