School Safety is Back in Session
Another school year is starting, so buses and more car congestion is about to take part in our daily commute. Drivers need to slow down and pay more attention around buses and school zones, especially before and after school. The Accident Recovery Team encourages all drivers to follow a few school safety rules of the road during back-to-school season.
Sharing the Road with School Buses
With buses constantly on the roads, it’s important to know the laws and expectations surrounding bus and school safety. If you’re driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. This will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights on the bus inevitably start flashing. Research shows that the area ten feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children. Be sure to stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus. If the yellow or red lights on a bus are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop. In every state in the United States, it is illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. On an undivided road, the rule extends to both directions of traffic. Stay up-to-date on bus and school safety to ensure children’s safety and keep you from collecting a hefty fine.
Safety During Drop-Off & Pick-Up
Between school buses, kids on bikes and harried parents, school pick-up and drop-offs can be chaotic. Schools often have specific drop-off and pick-up procedures so as a parent, it’s imperative to know them. When dropping off or picking up, please don’t double park. It blocks visibility for other children and vehicles, creating a safety concern. And if you can help it, don’t load or unload children across the street from the school. It’s vital that ALL drivers practice school safety by driving slowly and using patience while in a school zone.
Young Pedestrians & Bicyclists on the Road
With so many children on the streets before and after school, prioritizing school safety means driving smart all year long. When near a school zone, don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn. This forces young pedestrians and bicyclists to go around you and could put them in the path of moving traffic. Anytime flashers are blinking in a school zone, stop and yield to anyone crossing the crosswalk or intersection. This includes always stopping for school patrol officers or crossing guards holding up a stop sign.
Accident Recovery Team is Here All Year Long
Accident Recovery Team is made up of attorneys who care about school safety and driving smart on the roads. Contact any of the attorneys at the Accident Recovery Team by calling us toll free at 866-263-0505. We’re happy to answer questions and the consultation is free. You never pay a fee until we win.
Information provided by The National Safety Council (NSC) website.