Students, families, and teachers across Davidson County took part in National Walk to School Day on Wednesday. In Nashville, many gathered along 12th Avenue South to walk from the Operation Stand Down parking lot to Carter-Lawrence Elementary. The event is part of a broader effort to promote safe travel to school. 

The Nashville Department of Transportation teamed up with Metro Nashville Public Schools to host the annual walk. It highlights safe walking and biking routes for students, emphasizing the importance of cautious driving in school zones.  As part of its Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries the city has also made recent improvements to school zone safety across the county. 

This year, NDOT added or improved school zone markings and signage at more than 40 schools, including Carter-Lawrence.  These updates are intended to create consistency in how school zones look, so drivers can more easily recognize when they need to slow down. 

Carter-Lawrence was one of 65 Metro schools participating in Walk to School Day. The timing coincides with “Walktober” and the city’s “Week Without Driving” campaign, which encourages residents to explore alternatives to driving.  Officials expressed hope that the event will serve as a reminder throughout the year for drivers to slow down and remain alert in school zones.