Safety Tips for Driving During the School Year

Safety Tips for Driving During the School Year

While a lot of kids are out during the summer, the time drivers have to be the most aware is during the school year. This is because children can appear suddenly in school zones, near school buses, or traveling to and from school on foot or on a bicycle. Here are a few tips for safe driving during the school year.

Sharing the Road with School Buses

When a school bus is stopped, and its lights are flashing, never pass going in either direction. This is a warning indicator that children may be getting either on or off the bus. Watch for children making a last-second dash for the bus in the morning. Never pull up too close to the back of a stopped bus. If you can’t see the side view mirrors of the bus, then the driver probably doesn’t know you are there.

Kids Traveling to and from School

Whether on foot or on a bicycle, people normally act the same way they would while driving. Since kids have no driving experience and don’t understand the dangers, they are more like to step in front of a moving vehicle without paying attention. This means you need to keep an eye out for children and use extra caution even if they are on a sidewalk as you pass by.

Driving in a School Zone

School zones are posted and will have reduced speed limits for you to obey during certain times of the day. Always follow the traffic signs in a school area and look out for crossing guards who may be helping kids to cross the street during high traffic times. Be sure not to block crosswalks that kids are likely to use, and always stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk, especially kids.

When an Accident Occurs

Sometimes even when everyone is as safe as possible, an accident can still happen. If you or a loved one have been injured, contact the personal injury attorneys at Petrov Law Firm by calling 619-344-0360.