THE WICHITA S.T.O.P. PROGRAM

The Wichita Public Schoos district is interested in the safety of its students and staff. We realize the potential for unsafe driving conditions in our school parking areas and the potential for unsafe conditions outside of school on Wichita streets and crosswalks. Therefore, the Safety Services Department, in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Transportation, is pleased to introduce the Wichita School Traffic Officer Project (S.T.O.P.). This program is designed to promote traffic safety for Wichita Public Schools students from kindergarten to the twelfth grade. This objective is achieved through a variety of education and enforcement initiatives.

PROGRAM SERVICES

Education

The S.T.O.P. program delivers an extensive series of programs designed to increase traffic safety awareness at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Wichita Public Schools students, staff members and parents are important resources in program development. Elementary school programs focus on providing information on seatbelt, crosswalk, bicycle and child restraint systems safety. Middle and high school programs focus on providing information on seatbelt, driver and passenger safety, DUI and child restraint systems safety.

Services and programs that are provided include:

• Seatbelt awareness

• Crosswalk safety

• Bicycle safety

• Driver/passenger safety

• Child restraint systems safety

• Driving under the influence (DUI)

• Junior safety patrol education

• River City Heat drag racing team assembly

• Radar enforcement education

Enforcement

Traffic safety officers enforce Wichita Public Schools traffic regulations at Wichita public high schools. Citations will be given for the following violations:

Failure to present valid drivers license and valid insurance

Parking in no parking zone (i.e. handicapped, faculty parking, loading zones and fire lane)

Failure to use seatbelt

Reckless driving

Careless driving (causing an accident)

Speeding

Failure to obey official traffic control devices (i.e. stop signs, one way signs, etc.)

Riding where not intended

Failure to register vehicle with school office

Failure to display school decal

Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs

Traffic safety officers are equipped with radar and they are available for speed monitoring with a signed request by a school administrator.

DUI Enforcement

Traffic safety officers are also equipped with portable breath testers and will administer a blood alcohol test to students who are suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol upon a signed request of a principal. Trained in drug recognition and evaluation techniques, the traffic safety officers can administer a series of tests that will determine whether a student is impaired by a substance or if the students condition is caused by a medical problem. This is done with a signed request by a school administrator.

Youth Court

Students who continuously receive citations for speeding, reckless driving, riding where not intended and failure to follow official traffic control devices will be referred to Youth Court where their peers will decide the proper sentence for the student.

Students who receive a citation for driving more that ten miles over the speed limit or driving in a manner that endangers others will also be referred to Youth Court.

For more information on the program please contact traffic safety officers at 973-2260 with the Safety Services Department of the Wichita Public School

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