School is back and children are riding on buses, their bikes, or walking to school. When you add in the kids that are driven to school by mom, dad, or their grandparents, the roads get pretty congested in the morning and early afternoon.
Here are a few key tips that can help improve safety for everyone:
Back-To-School Driving Tips For Parents
Phone down and slow down – be vigilant in school zones and be sure to keep the speed low
Stop when you see flashers – kids may be crossing the street and you must yield the right of way
Be prepared to stop – kids may dart in and out of cars, into the parking lot, or street
Unload the kids at designated spots – Usually, schools will have designated drop-off zones which are created for student/staff safety. Avoid drop-offs across the street from the school and forcing your kids to cross a likely busy road.
Driving Safely Near a School Bus
Keep your distance – stay several car lengths behind the school bus are you are driving behind it. It stops frequently.
Slow down when the lights flash yellow – this is a warning of an impending stop and you should treat it like a yellow light … but not the speed-through-the-intersection yellow light; the one you slow-down-and-be-prepared-to-stop yellow light. Do not attempt to pass.
Stop on red flashing lights – it is illegal and wildly dangerous to pass a stopped bus displaying flashing red lights and its stop sign. Kids are either getting on or off the bus and may very well cross the roadway
Back-To-School Safety Tips For Children
Wait for the bus to stop – Before you start walking to board the bus – or stand up to exit – wait for the bus to come to a complete stop.
Buckle Up - If the bus has seatbelts, buckle up
Do not cross directly in front of the bus – however, if you have no choice, give yourself at least 10 feet in front of the bus so the driver can see you
Make eye contact – if you are crossing the street, make sure you make eye contact with all drivers and wait for them to acknowledge you with a waive before you cross
Put the phone down – if you’re walking home, do not be distracted by your phone. This is particularly dangerous at crosswalks and intersections
Use crosswalks and sidewalks – always cross the road at a designated crosswalk. If there is not one, cross at the intersection when it is safe to do so. When walking, use sidewalks. If ones are not available, walk to the edge of the roadway and face traffic
Buddy system – there is safety in numbers as well as greater visibility.
If your child has been bullied, hazed, or injured at school, please contact Scott for a no cost, no obligation consultation and case evaluation.