Back to School, Back to Safety: Essential Products to Protect Students and Manage Traffic

INTRODUCTION

As schools reopen, roadways and campuses become busier with buses, cars, and students on foot and bikes. Creating a safe school zone requires clear traffic control and effective pedestrian management to protect students, staff, and families during drop-offs, pick-ups, and events. From slowing cars to guiding foot traffic, the right safety equipment helps reduce risk and prevent accidents. Below, we highlight five essential products that work together to make school zones safer and more organized this season. 

1. Pedestrian Crosswalk Barricades

Benefits:

Crosswalk barricades provide students with clear, designated crossing paths while signaling drivers to slow down. They act as both a physical and visual guide, making pedestrian movement predictable and safe during busy school hours. 

Key Features:

• Completely portable and effective
• Messages on both sides
• Step 'n Lock assembly system
• Weather-resistant for repeated outdoor use
• Stable base prevents tipping in high-traffic areas

Real-Life Example:

At an elementary school, staff set up pedestrian crosswalk barricades during morning drop-off time. The barricades clearly mark safe crossing points and remind drivers to slow down. These tools create an organized flow of vehicles and pedestrians, keeping students safe as they enter campus.

2. Alley Speed Bumps

Benefits:

Vehicle speed control is critical around schools, especially in alleys, loading zones, and drop-off driveways. Rubber speed bumps slow traffic and encourage safer driving where pedestrians are nearby. 

Key Features:

• Made from durable recycled rubber
• Bolt-down installation for secure placement
• Reflective striping for nighttime visibility
• Weather-resistant for year-round use
• Supports both light cars and heavier school buses

Real-Life Example:

A high school installs speed bumps at its rear alley, where teachers and delivery vehicles often enter too quickly. The change reduces speeding incidents, protecting students who walk through the area after school.

3. Movit Barriers

Benefits:

Lightweight and highly visible, Movit Barriers are ideal for crowd and traffic management on school grounds. They guide pedestrians, protect waiting areas, and provide flexible separation between vehicles and students. 

Key Features:

• Bright, high-visibility design
• Interlocking ends create continuous barricades
• Easy to move, set up, and store
• Weatherproof and long-lasting
• Non-corrosive and safe for outdoor use

Real-Life Example:

During a sports event, staff arranges Movit Barriers to separate pedestrian walkways from the bus parking zone. The barriers clearly direct families toward entrances, preventing unsafe crossings and keeping people out of vehicle lanes.

4. Heavy Duty Barricade

Benefits:

For situations requiring strong, long-term control, Heavy Duty Barricades provide maximum durability. These barricades are perfect for directing traffic, securing restricted areas, or managing large crowds on school property.

Key Features:

• Superior in strength and quality
• Lightweight and impact resistant
• Ballast with water or sand
• Standard Colors: Safety Orange, White, Yellow, Olive Drab, Desert Tan
• Custom colors available

Real-Life Example:

A district deploys Heavy Duty Barricades during a major school construction project. This keeps students safely away from active work zones, while still allowing staff to redirect vehicle and foot traffic around the site.

5. Sandwich Boards

Benefits:

Communication is just as important as traffic control. Sandwich boards provide flexible, easy-to-read signage that can deliver important safety messages, event directions, or drop-off rules to parents, students, and visitors. 

Key Features:

• Portable, folding A-frame design
• Holds interchangeable signs for different needs (not included)
• Weather-resistant and durable for outdoor use
• High-visibility surfaces for custom graphics
• Easy to set up and move around campus

Real-Life Example:

At the start of the school year, administrators place sandwich boards at the carpool lane entrance with messages like “STUDENT DROP-OFF ONLY” and “SLOW – PEDESTRIAN CROSSING.” The signs helped parents quickly understand traffic flow and reduced confusion during the morning rush.

CONCLUSION

Building Safer School Zones Together The return to school brings both excitement and responsibility. By combining tools like Pedestrian Barricades, Speed Bumps, Movit Barriers, Heavy Duty Barricades, and Sandwich Boards, schools can create safer, more organized environments for students, parents, and staff. 

Investing in the right equipment not only helps to prevent accidents but also promotes peace of mind for the entire community and potentially have a positive impact on liability insurance premiums. Prepare your campus for the new school year with mission-critical safety solutions.

Visit www.missionreadysafety.com to explore our full range of school zone traffic control and pedestrian safety products.