outreach Archives - Traffic Safety Team

For many years, the Community Traffic Safety Program has promoted traffic safety storytime read-aloud videos, activity books, and storybooks to help educate children. Above all, kids can learn about important traffic safety rules while reading fun adventures. We were happy to share two fantastic Clifford the Big Red Dog books supplied by Safe Kids. These stories focused on traffic safety for children and were shared with local libraries and community partners throughout our 18-county district.

The first book, Clifford Takes a Walk, teaches street-crossing and pedestrian safety. A limited number of these books were also available in Spanish. The second book, Clifford and the Railroad Crossing, emphasizes safety around trains and railroads. These books were made available with generous support from FedEx, Union Pacific Railroad, and Safe Kids Worldwide. We are excited to help bring these important messages to our community, and our library partners are the perfect avenue for reaching young readers.

A Gift for Local Libraries, Childcare Centers, and Schools

In October, our team gift-wrapped the books and hand-delivered packages to select libraries in Duval County. “I am a SAFE Walker!” stickers were included to share during storytime. The remaining packages are being delivered by team members or shipped throughout all 18 counties in our district.

In November, our Clay CTST Chair, FHP Master Sergeant Dylan Bryan, personally delivered copies to Clay County libraries. We love seeing the positive responses from this outreach effort, the smiling faces, and the appreciation for quality children’s books like these. Of course, the stickers are a big hit!

Fernandina Beach Police Department Storytime

The Fernandina Beach Police Department had a blast reading Clifford Takes a Walk to their Preschool & Pre-K friends over at Tree House Academy of Fernandina Beach.

Clifford’s safety tips were a hit! K9 Hanna stole the show, as nothing beats storytime with a real-life four-legged friend!

Tracy Hisler-Pace and Jordan Green of the District Two FDOT Target Zero team, along with our Columbia Traffic Safety Team Chair, Shane Morgan, the Columbia County Emergency Management Director, presented the Clifford books to Katrina Evans, the director of the Columbia County Library. Mrs. Evans was very appreciative of the donations and looks forward to adding them to the children’s section.

Traffic Safety Storytime Videos for Children

“Clifford Takes a Walk” Shows Children How To Be Safe Walkers

Join Clifford the Big Red Dog, Emily Elizabeth, and their friends on a fun, safe walking adventure!

“Clifford and the Railroad Crossing” Teaches Children How to be Safe Around Railroad Tracks

Safety is a top priority, and we are excited to share this transportation and train track safety education.

More Storytime Videos

“Watch Out On the Road” and “Learn About Road Safety” Read-Aloud Books for Kids

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, we had traffic safety team volunteers ready stories we created to share virtually. Storytime was an excellent opportunity to reach out to children in our community online.

“Be Careful and Stay Safe” and “Look Left, Look Right, Look Left Again” Story Books Read by Kids for Kids

“Franklin Rides a Bike” Read Aloud Story Video

We distributed Franklin Rides a Bike as the first storybook. This was part of our Safe Routes to School program in the late 1990s. Above all, we hope you enjoy and share these read-aloud online storytimes with your students or children.

Safety Town Storytime Videos for Kids

And finally, don’t miss out on these stop-animation videos created with our Safety Town board game to teach “Safety Rules at Home, School, and Around the Neighborhood.” These four traffic safety videos include walking safely to school, walking safely in the neighborhood, biking safely while wearing a helmet, and bus stop safety rules.

Additional Traffic Safety Resources Made for Kids

Traffic Safety for Children

Safety for Kids

Traffic Safety School Days

Collaboration with UNF College to Save Lives

With Spring Break coming up soon, this was perfect timing. Students got to steer through a course with impairment simulation goggles and chat about driving safely for UNF’s Safety Week! The #TargetZeroFL weekly planners and to-do note pads were a big hit.

Special thanks to Duval Traffic Safety Team member Karen Livingston with the UNF Police Department. Her experience, dedication, and joy are evident among students on the UNF campus. She set up the Drunk Goggle Obstacle Course and Walk the Line for students to try the impaired driver simulations using Fatal Vision goggles.

Taking a Turn Through the Obstacles

Each little orange cone represented a pedestrian, and quite a few did get run over! Luckily, no one was hurt while test-driving with the “drunk goggles.” It was great to hear the students committing to driving safely. Of course, our Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crew is on board with safety on the road.

Jacksonville Fire Rescue traffic safety outreach

Traffic Safety Targeting Aggressive Driving

Proud UNF alumni and mother of current UNF student pose for a photo op! In the past, we highlighted this local teen driver. He was caught speeding well above the limit, and as part of his punishment, he helped us make a short video with his “Reasons NOT to SPEED.” Today, we are happy to announce he’s setting an excellent example with ZERO violations or crashes. Let’s keep up the good work!