After three beautiful summer months, the familiar frustration of getting stuck behind school buses on the morning commute is once again a reality; back-to-school traffic is here. For those getting the kids on the bus, dropping them off at school, or just leaving ten minutes earlier than usual to get ahead of the buses, there is a sense of urgency that comes with the rush of going back to school. With so many more cars on the road, and everyone trying to adjust to their new schedules, driving safety can fall by the wayside. Making it a top priority, however, is critical, especially considering that according to the National Safety Council, more children are hit by cars going to and from schools than at any other location.

Whether  in residential areas, or near children, buses, and school zones, being aware of your surroundings and slowing down are the two most important factors for keeping everyone safe as we start another school year, but here are a few other things to also be aware of:

  • If driving children to school, make sure to follow all of the school’s set procedures for both drop off and pick up.
  • Avoid double parking, especially near school drop off spots, which makes it difficult to see children getting in and out of vehicles or trying to cross the street.
  • When reversing near a school, always make sure that you are completely aware of your surroundings, and know for sure that there are no children behind your vehicle, or out of your line of sight.
  • Avoid blocking the crosswalks when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights, children weaving around cars can be easily missed by inattentive motorists.
  • Not passing a stopped bus with its flashing lights on is a given, but it is also important not to rush to be the last one around the bus before it stops, as tempting as it may be.
  • Always assume that if you are near a crosswalk, or in a school zone, there is a child ready dart out in front of you, so that you can be proactive rather than reactive.
  • Take extra care near bicyclists, especially if turning left, most collisions occur when a motorist is turning left in front of a bicyclist.
  • Remember that everyone is in a hurry, but it is never worth risking an accident to avoid being late!

 

 

 

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