It’s that time of year again to keep an eye out for students with so driving tips for back to school safety.
Pedestrian-vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 14. Kids are back from summer camp, school is in session again, and school buses are out on the streets. That means drivers need to step up safety around school zones, crosswalks, bus stops, and wherever children may be playing outside. Here are some back-to-school tips:
Be familiar with school zones. Get in the habit of noticing where school zones and crosswalks that are on routes that you normally take. Pedestrian accidents are far more likely to occur on routes that drivers are familiar with. Stop for school bus lights. Always stop for school buses with flashing red lights. Drivers approaching the bus must come to a full stop for the duration that the red lights are on. Some school buses have flashing yellow lights, which means that drivers may proceed with extreme caution. Bus drivers engage the flashing yellow lights before the flashing red lights, signaling that they are about to stop. Obey crossing guards. School crossing guards are given police training and the same authority as local traffic police in most areas, so obeying the crossing guards. Anticipate. The speed and distance away of oncoming cars is more difficult for young children to judge. Always anticipate the chance that a small child may run in front of you by slowing down and preparing to brake. Be careful around parked vehicles. Be especially careful in areas with parked vehicles on the side of the road. Children waiting to cross may be especially difficult to see behind parked sport-utility vehicles. Headlights on. Drive with headlights on in areas with children and pedestrians. The use of headlights can reduce pedestrian accidents by about 25 percent. Avoid distractions when driving. Cell phones are a known distraction. Never use hand-held cell phones or hands-free cell phones devices while driving in school zones or areas with children. The same goes for activities that distract the driver, such as changing eating and adjusting controls. Avoid reversing. Try to avoid reversing your vehicle in areas with children. It’s more difficult to see small children as they can hide in your car’s blind spots while reversing. Don’t speed. Remember that the speed limit in most school zones during school hours or when children are present is 25 miles per hour. Bad weather, or areas with limited visibility, will require a lower speed. Your visibility to pedestrians, your ability to see them, and your stopping distance all may be greatly impaired by weather or road conditions, so slow down. Don’t honk at pedestrians or bicyclists. Honking at a child, whether on foot or on a bicycle, is generally not a good idea. The noise could possibly cause the startled child to trip or fall and be in a dangerous position for other approaching traffic.
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