Back to School Safety Tips for Drivers

Back to School Safety Tips for Drivers: Congestion during back-to-school season exposes children and other road users to the risk of accidents. Although schools have specific drop-off points, drivers sometimes ignore these rules, endangering others.

There is additional madness as school buses pick up passengers and parents rush to drop their kids off before their journey to their places of work.

In those moments, a negligent driver or road user can cause an accident with devastating effects. Victims of back-to-school accidents sustain various injuries, which lead to losses and disruption of their lives.

Consult a trusted car accident attorney on Long Island, NY, as you pursue compensation from the at-fault party.

Back-to-School Safety Tips

School buses are the most regulated vehicles on the road, making them safer than passenger vehicles in preventing accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

Drivers should always remember the following simple rules:

Never Pass a School Bus When Red Lights are Flashing

Red flashing lights and an extended arm indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting in or off the vehicle. You must stop your car and wait until the red lights stop blinking. You must also wait for the withdrawal of the extended arm and the bus begins moving before you can safely drive again.

Slow Down and Stay Alert

Children are vulnerable to vehicle collisions for several reasons; they are less cautious and tiny than adults, making it harder to spot them while driving. Slowing down and being alert in school zones reduces the chances of collisions and minimizes the force of impact.

Reverse With Care

Back up gently and look for pedestrians in the driveway, on the sidewalks, and near vehicles. Use your car’s side mirrors and backup camera.

Avoid Distractions

Distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention from driving. Avoid distracted driving activities like talking on the phone, attending to your kids while driving, texting, and adjusting your car stereo.

Look for Crosswalks and Prepare to Stop

Crosswalks are designated zones where pedestrians can safely cross a road. A vehicle must stop when a pedestrian is crossing a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Prepare to stop as you approach a crosswalk.

Sharing the Road With Young Pedestrians

Many young pedestrians from four to seven years old lose their lives in bus-related accidents while they are students.

Here are a few precautions to promote the safety of young pedestrians:

• Never block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn. Blocking a crosswalk may force the pedestrian to go around, which could put them in the path of oncoming vehicles.
• Stop for a crossing guard or school patrol officer holding the stop sign.
• Take extra caution near school zones, parks, playgrounds, and residential areas.
• Do not pass a vehicle that has stopped for pedestrians.
• Avoid honking or revving your vehicle near pedestrians even if you have a right of way.
• Take caution to avoid hitting pedestrians irrespective of the party with a right of way.

Sharing the Road with School Buses

Allow a more considerable following distance when driving behind a bus compared to the distance allowed to passenger vehicles. A reasonable following distance allows you more time to stop the car when the yellow light starts to flash.

Here are a few safety tips when sharing the road with school buses:

• Never pass a bus when it is stopped to load or unload the children
• If yellow or red lights are flashing with an active stop extended arm, stop driving.
• Yellow lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Slow down and prepare to stop your vehicle.
• Be alert near school buses; children ignore hazards and take risks.
• The most dangerous zone for children is 10 feet around the bus; leave a safe distance, allowing them to board or alight without interference.

Sharing the Road with Bicyclists

Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users. Their small size makes them harder to spot, increasing the risk of accidents. School-aged children who ride bikes create problems for drivers because of their limited capacity to judge traffic conditions.

A driver who turns left in front of a bicycle exposes the cyclist to the risk of collision. If a driver is turning left and a cyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for them to pass.

Be extra cautious in school zones and residential neighborhoods. Most importantly, be alert for cyclists turning in front of you without checking for oncoming traffic. Children are prone to making poor decisions while riding bikes.

If you’re turning right and a cyclist is approaching from behind on the right, give them the first priority to join the intersection. It’s also important to activate your turn signal. Remember to check your rear mirrors before opening the door.

Injured in a Back-to-School Accident? Get In Touch With a Trusted Long Island Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney

You’re likely to endure a reduced quality of life after an injury in a back-to-school accident. You, therefore, deserve compensation for injury-related losses like medical expenses, lost income, loss of companionship, and out-of-pocket expenses.

An experienced attorney will compile critical sources of evidence and negotiate for a fair settlement value to facilitate your recovery. The Barnes Firm Injury Attorneys has resolved over 150,000 accident cases for injured victims. Contact us online or at (800) 800-0000 for a free consultation.

Richard Barnes – President of The Barnes Firm

Richard Barnes: “As President of The Barnes Firm, I have dedicated my career to achieving justice in hundreds of cases for the victims of injuries caused through the fault of others. Additionally, I have been honored to have been elected Best Lawyer and a Super Lawyer”

Years of Experience: 30+ years
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