Back-to-School Safety – On The Road

The coming frenzy of back-to-school time reminds us of specific school-related safety issues. The increased traffic around local schools, especially during drop-off and pick-up times, can create unsafe situations. There are several precautions to take to increase the safety and security of everyone involved.

Slow Down and Look Around

Whether you have an elementary school around the corner or a high school a few blocks away, increased traffic can create safety issues for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike. Packs of pre-teens walking down the middle of the road can be frustrating, but their well-being and yours remain top priority.

One of the best ways to deal with these hazards is to slow down and pay extra attention to what is going on. Plan to leave a few minutes early, especially during the first week of school as schedules are firmed up and folks figure out their commutes. High school drivers should be especially careful as the risk of car accidents are twice as high for that age group. Teens should leave plenty of time to safely get to school before that first tardy bell.

School Zone Specialties

One of the biggest back-to-school safety measures are school zones. Most school zones are posted at 20 miles per hour and also have “no handheld device” rules. Not only do you want to avoid a possible ticket but steering clear of accidents should take precedence while in a school zone. Going 20 miles per hour or less can sometimes feel like time has stopped because it is so much slower than our regular speed. However, if you are the pedestrian or bike rider, a car going over 20 MPH can feel like a race car sped past.

You may also encounter cross walks with or without crossing guards in the area. Whether a guard is present or not, pedestrians have the right of way in a crosswalk. Trying to turn right on red, or even right on green may be difficult when many walkers and cyclists are crossing. These situations require patience and caution.

School Bus Situations

Those flashing red lights and the retractable stop sign are a pretty emphatic reminder not to pull around stopped school buses. For the most part, you shouldn’t drive past them going the opposite direction either, unless it’s a divided street with a median. You’ll need to take extra precautions to check for children after the bus pulls away. Make sure to discuss bus safety with students each year before the first day.

A Safer Back-to-School

Keeping these situations in mind creates a safer back-to-school environment. It may be difficult to remember, especially for those without school-age children. Preventing accidents and increasing safety is a goal we can all agree on.

Let Cultris Security help ensure your family is safe and secure! Contact us a 281-506-8466 or visit us online!

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