Most schools across the US will be starting soon, it’s time to go over some tips on how to be safe on the road while children are on their way to and from school! While many of these tips are good year-round, it’s important to keep them in mind as children head back to class this fall.
Extra Time!
- Be sure to leave a few minutes early to allow for new drivers, school zones, school busses, and general traffic with parent’s schedules adjusting for drop off and pick up times
Pay extra attention in school zones
- Watch out for children at crosswalks in the school zone and pay attention to the crossing guards
- Slow down to posted speeds in school zones
- Stay off your cell phone – it is against the law to operate a cell phone in an active school zone
- Watch out for children at bus stops or walking to their bus stop or walking to & from school
- Pay attention as children may dart across the street or between vehicles, especially at drop off and pick up times
- Watch out for children at bus stops or walking to their bus stop or walking to & from school
School Bus Safety
- It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children, if you see flashing yellow or red lights and/or the stop arm extended of the bus traffic must stop.
- Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks
New Drivers out on the road
- With the new school year, there may also be some new drivers out on the road. Pay extra caution and patience as some newly licensed drivers are navigating the traffic
- You may also see an influx of cyclists as children ride to school. Take extra precautions when passing or turning especially in school zones.
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