Back-to-school season is always an exciting time of the year as kids and parents get excited about what a new school year can hold. As we get ready to send our children back to school, it is important to remember that we need to keep our children safe while we are behind the wheel. With new teen drivers getting themselves to school as well as parents getting little ones to their places of learning, safety on the roads should be your number one priority.
Here are some tips on how to keep our most precious cargo safe as the school year begins:
- Be on the lookout for school zones, and obey the speed limit when going through a school zone.
We have all seen the flashing lights of a school zone and a speed limit drop. The reason these speed limits are lower when the warning lights are flashing is because children are nearby and there is a high probability that children will be outside during this time period. Even if the lights aren’t flashing, if it is during school hours, a child could be outside playing. It’s important to slow down and pay attention even if you don’t see any kids.
- Do not use your cell phone while going through a school zone, especially if you’re thinking about sending a text or posting a social media update.
It is important at any time to not be distracted while driving, but even more so when going through a school zone. Children can be difficult to see in the BEST situations, so it’s important to be extra alert while driving through a school zone. When a child’s life is potentially at stake, put your cell phone down.
- Be careful around school buses, and always stop when you see a school bus stop sign.
School buses are used to transfer children to and from school, so there most likely are kids traveling on the bus when you see it. There are also no seat belts on most school bus, so school bus accidents can be very dangerous for children. Also, when you see a school bus stop with its stop sign extended, this means children will be getting on or off the bus. It is extremely dangerous to pass a bus with its sign out, so please wait patiently as our children get to and from school.
- When picking up or dropping off your kids at school, be sure to obey the traffic laws and be courteous to other drivers and students alike.
Traffic around schools tends to get chaotic and tempers sometimes flair, but do your best to remain calm and wait your turn and/or wait for your child to come to the vehicle safely. Don’t risk double parking, and remind your children about how to move safely around stopped and moving vehicles.
While these tips seem very obvious, it is important that we be mindful of safety as we begin this school year. We at Daryl T. Dixon Law take the safety of our children very seriously, and wish everyone a safe and happy school year in 2017.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a car crash on Kentucky roadways, a Paducah car accident lawyer can help. Daryl T. Dixon Law is dedicated to fighting for car accident victims and making Kentucky roadways safe for drivers of all vehicles. Contact our experienced legal team today for a free, no-obligation consultation of your case. Also, be sure to keep in touch with Daryl over social media for more important auto safety tips and resources.
