In the months of August and September, many families are preparing for their children to return to school by buying supplies and going over new schedules. A lesser-known, but very important, way to prepare for the back-to-school season is by educating yourself on safe driving tips.
What does driving have to do with returning to school? Well, the return of school means the return of school buses. In some areas, drivers may see more kids walking and riding bikes while school is in session as well.
Stop for School Buses
While driving behind a bus, slow travel and periodic stops are to be expected. Never tailgate a school bus — tailgating is dangerous anyway, but the frequent stops put you at a higher risk for a rear-end collision.
When a school bus stops to drop off or pick up students, it is extremely important to practice caution as a driver. There will be children walking in the road to enter or exit the bus.
On a two-lane road, all drivers should stop to ensure safety. If a road has more than one lane on either side of the street, all drivers who are traveling in the same direction of traffic as the bus should stop at the same time. It is usually safe for drivers traveling in the opposite direction of the bus to continue driving, but you should always proceed with caution around a school bus.
Watch for Pedestrians
You may see more children and their families walking around once school is back in session. If you live in a tight-knit rural area, or a more condensed urban location where walking to school is more common, you should be especially wary of pedestrians on sidewalks and crosswalks — but you should be aware of pedestrians wherever you are driving. Kids may be more likely to jaywalk, so staying alert at all times is essential. Outside of school zones, be aware of bus stops, sports facilities, or other areas where children may walk around on a school day.
Share the Road with Bicyclists
Just as a return to school could mean that there are more kids crossing the street, there may be more children riding their bikes around too. Watch for children on bikes around parks and on sidewalks, especially in the hours before school starts and after classes let out. Older kids may ride their bicycles in bike lanes or in the streets, so it is important to be aware at all times.
Unfortunately, drivers are not always as aware of others as they should be. If you were injured in an accident that was caused by a negligent driver, please contact Pierce, Sloan, Kennedy & Early LLC to schedule a free case evaluation.
Our team of attorneys can be reached via phone at (843) 968-0886 or through our message submission form.