CHARLESTON, WV — The West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) partnered with schools, law enforcement agencies, and community leaders statewide and celebrated Walk & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Taking place during National Pedestrian Safety Month, the annual initiative encourages students and families to walk or bicycle to school, promoting active transportation habits while reinforcing life-saving road safety practices.
“Walk & Roll to School Day is a wonderful opportunity to teach our young students healthy habits and practical traffic safety skills,” said Jack McNeely, Director of the GHSP. “However, protecting our children requires commitment from everyone on the road. As autumn weather sets in and morning light decreases, drivers must remain alert, slow down in school zones, and make pedestrian and cyclist safety a top priority every single day.”
Essential Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Tips for Students
To help ensure every student’s journey is safe, the GHSP recommends that parents and students review the following safety measures:
Be Visible: Wear bright-colored or reflective clothing, especially during early morning hours, dusk, or foggy weather.
Use Designated Crossings: Always cross streets at marked crosswalks or intersections. Look left, right, and left again before stepping into the roadway.
Stay Focused and Alert: Avoid visual and auditory distractions such as mobile phones or headphones while walking or biking near traffic.
Wear Helmets Properly: Bicyclists, scooter riders, and skateboarders should always wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet and follow standard rules of the road.
Walk in Groups: Younger children should walk or roll with an adult or in supervised neighborhood walking groups.
Crucial School Zone Awareness for Drivers
Motorists play a decisive role in preventing crashes near school grounds and bus stops. Drivers are urged to practice the following safety guidelines:
Obey Reduced Speed Limits: Strictly follow posted speed limits in designated school zones and surrounding residential streets.
Stop for School Buses: Flashing red lights and extended stop arms mean drivers approaching from both directions must stop completely until the bus resumes travel.
Yield to Pedestrians: Always stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, at intersections, and near school pick-up and drop-off areas.
Eliminate Distractions: Put away handheld mobile devices and avoid multi-tasking while driving through neighborhoods and school zones.
Promoting Community Health and Active Mobility
Beyond road safety awareness, Walk & Roll to School Day highlights the long-term health and environmental benefits of active commuting. Regular walking and biking improve physical health, foster mental well-being, reduce motor vehicle emissions around schools, and build stronger community connections across West Virginia.
For more information on Walk & Roll to School Day activities, go to https://www.walkbiketoschool.org/.
For information on pedestrian and bicyclist safety, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety and https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety.
For more information about the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program and to access highway safety educational resources, please visit highwaysafety.wv.gov or call 304-926-2509.