9 Tips To Driving Safely With The Start Of A New School Year

With the start of another school year, there are several cautions for students, parents, and the everyday driver to take to keep things safe on the road. Here is a list of tips derived from the National Safety Council to help avoid any incident related to driving during the school year.

 For Students and Parents

  • Unload/load your children on the same side of the street as the school. This way your children won’t need to cross the busy street on foot.
  • If your child walks to school, make sure they use the sidewalk. If there is no sidewalk available, teach them to walk on the side of the street facing traffic.
  • When waiting for the bus, teach your children to stay 6 feet or 3 big steps away from the curb.
  •  If your child needs to cross the street in front of the bus, instruct them that they should be able to see the bus driver at all times.

For All Drivers

  • Avoid pulling too far forward at a stop, causing your car to block the crosswalk. This forces pedestrians to go around you and could put them in danger.
  • Never pass a school bus that is stopped to unload children. This action is illegal in all 50 states and is extremely dangerous for the children involved.
  • The area around a school bus is the most dangerous for children, always keep your car at least 10 feet away.
  • Be vigilant of children bicycling to school, they commonly turn without looking or signaling.
  •  Don’t pass a vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians, or a vehicle that is loading/unloading children near a school.