Walker Elementary Implements Greater Carpool Safety Procedures
LIVINGSTON, La. – The Walker Elementary Carpool Team is acting on the Louisiana State Legislature’s recent call for greater carpool and bus safety on school campuses.
The team painted a barrier line at the drop-off/pick-up area, creating greater visibility for the separation of drivers and students, and team members are wearing bright neon vests to also improve visibility of staff working in the area.
“Our team felt like these enhancements could make a huge difference in improving safety for our students and employees who work the daily carpool and bus lines,” Walker Elementary Principal Kerma Luzier said.
Superintendent Joe Murphy said the actions taken by the Walker Elementary campus leaders are just one example of enhanced safety measures that have been implemented around the parish.
“Each of our elementary campuses is finding ways to improve safety in our carpool and bus lines,” Murphy said.
During the 2023 General Legislative Session, lawmakers passed Act 362, which added language to the Louisiana Revised Statute 17:81 requiring state school boards to establish policies for carpool and bus line safety for schools that include any grades between kindergarten and 5th grade.
Although the policy includes the minimum safety guidelines, school boards are charged with developing additional administrative procedures to ensure compliance. The legislation became effective Aug. 1, 2023.
Murphy said improvements are different at each campus, based on the school’s layout and drop-off/pick-up procedures.
A new yellow barrier line outside Walker Elementary School helps to create a safer separation between students and carpool drivers. School staff, including Special Education Teacher Sommer Wadsworth, pictured in the foreground, are also wearing bright neon vests to improve visibility for drivers.