We know it’s only August, but the end of Summer will be here before you know it – and even before that, kids will be back in school. So, here are some end-of-summer/back-to-school driving tips to keep you – and the kiddos – safe!
- Know Your School Zones:In the course of a typical day, you will likely drive through at least one school zone. Whether you’re a parent or not, you might still appreciate the fact that kids don’t always pay attention to cars or obey traffic laws, so it’s up to you to be careful and diligent.
When you see a school zone and crosswalk signs, make a conscious effort to slow down and keep your eyes on the road ahead of you and the sidewalks around you. A child might dart out into the street, seemingly out of nowhere. Avoid all distractions, like adjusting your car radio, talking on your cell phone (you can be distracted even with hands-free devices), and of course the BIG NO-NO, texting. It’s not worth the few extra seconds you might save, so just slow down.
- Respect School Buses & Crossing Guards:You MUST stop for a school bus flashing it’s red lights and stop sign. No excuses. If a school bus driver sees you committing a violation of the above law, he or she may take down your license plate number and report you to the authorities. You may receive a warning letter and possibly other penalties.
Also please respect and obey crossing guards. Slow down as you approach school zone crosswalks and anticipate that a crossing guard may raise his or her stop sign and enter the crosswalk to assist children as they cross the street. Not only may you be subject to penalties for the offense, but you could endanger precious lives.
- Don’t Back Up:Be extremely careful in areas with parked vehicles on the side of the road. Children waiting to cross the street may be difficult to see behind parked cars. Slow down, keep your eyes on the road, and always scan the sidewalks and areas ahead of you looking for any sign of children. Also, whenever possible avoid backing up your car in areas where there are children. It can be difficult to see small children from the rearview mirror.
Above all, we want to keep kids and drivers safe. Here’s to a safe and wonderful school year!
Source: Safety 1st Driving School
