Back-to-school. It’s a time of increased traffic, stopped buses on your drive to work and crosswalks full of children walking to school. All good reasons to take extra precautions while driving at or near a school zone.
Keeping students safe is every driver’s responsibility, not just the bus drivers. So we’re sharing some back-to-school safety tips for drivers.
Let’s get started.
Many students rely on the bus for transportation to and from school. With elementary, middle school and high school often starting at different times, chances are, you’re going to encounter one or two buses on the road.
If you’re driving behind a school bus, increase your following distance. The typical following distance uses the three-second rule, so add a few seconds to that for driving behind a bus. It will give you plenty of time to stop once the bus starts slowing down.
And remember, it’s illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that has stopped to load or unload children. Other bus laws can vary by state, so check to see the specifics of your state before venturing out on the road.
Consider these additional rules when driving around school buses:
School buses are the most regulated and safest vehicles on the road. They’re designed with special construction to be safer than passenger vehicles in preventing crashes and injuries. And in every state, stop-arm laws exist to protect children from other motorists.
Talking or texting on your cell phone, eating, changing your music, putting on makeup and much more are huge distractions. Pulling your eyes off the road for even a few seconds can have big consequences.
Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for about five seconds, according to NHTSA. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. That’s a scary thought.
There’s an even bigger risk now with the increased foot, bike, and car traffic that comes with the new school year. It all comes down to staying focused and eliminating distractions.
Distracted driving accidents claimed 3,308 lives in 2022, according to NHTSA.
As we’ve already covered, when school starts, there’s an increase in cars on the road. But there are also people walking and biking to school. So, make sure you share the road appropriately with them as well.
Pay attention no matter where you are, even if you’re not near a crosswalk with a crossing guard. Kids might suddenly choose to cross the street between cars, in the middle of the street, or at an intersection. Don’t focus only on other cars. Stay alert to spot those little pedestrians!
Here are a few precautions that go a long way toward keeping children safe:
According to research by the National Safety Council , most of the children killed in bus-related incidents are four to seven years old, and they're walking. They are hit by the bus, or by a driver illegally passing a stopped bus.
The speed limit in a school zone isn’t meant to keep you from where you want to go. They’re set to keep everyone in that area safe.
Stay within the speed limits for school zones every time. A typical school zone speed limit in is between 15 mph and 25 mph unless otherwise posted.
When you reach a school zone, you’ll have to slow down at certain times of the day. These signs are usually marked yellow on a standard speed limit sign. And many have flashing lights during the time of day you’re required to slow down. You really can’t miss it!
Always yield to pedestrians, even if they’re not using the marked crosswalks. And don’t try to “beat” the bus to save time. Yield to buses at all times.
Be aware that most states and municipalities have increased fines for breaking traffic laws within school zones. Many areas double or triple speeding fines in and around school zones. It’s important to understand that these increases are meant to deter drivers from speeding through a school zone, risking the lives of young children along the way.
And don’t try to “beat” the bus to save time. Yield to buses at all times.
Be aware that most states and municipalities have increased fines for breaking traffic laws within school zones. Many areas double or triple speeding fines in and around school zones. It’s important to understand that these increases are meant to deter drivers from speeding through a school zone, risking the lives of young children along the way.
Most school zones have speed limits of 20 mph or less. Studies have found that 5% of pedestrians hit by a vehicle at 20 mph suffer a fatality. The fatality number increases to 45% at 30 mph, and to 80% at 40 mph. And because of their smaller size, the stats are worse for children, according to NHTSA.
When high school is in session, it means there are a lot of teenagers driving on the road. They’re new to driving and much too inexperienced to anticipate many of the hazards or changing road conditions in a school zone.
They’re also much more likely to be distracted. A few states have made it illegal to use a cell phone while driving in a school zone, specifically aimed at younger drivers. Check this list to see the rules for your state.
Talking on your cell phone has been shown to reduce reaction time. In fact, texting while driving has been shown to be as dangerous as driving drunk.
And new drivers may not know all the traffic safety laws. Sure, they passed their driving test, but do they really remember all the rules? Probably not. It doesn’t become second nature until you’ve encountered different scenarios from years of driving.
Since you can’t depend on these drivers to be safe (or any drivers, really), always drive defensively to prevent accidents. You can only control your own actions, so be safe and focused!
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. The fatal crash rate per mile driven for 16- and 17-year-olds is about three times the rate for drivers 20 and older. Based on police-reported crashes of all severities, the crash rate for 16- to 19-year-olds is nearly four times the rate for drivers 20 and older. The risk is highest at age 16.
We don’t want you to think that back-to-school time is all doom and gloom for drivers. But we do take safe and smart driving seriously.
Going to school can be a fun and exciting time for kids, parents, teachers and others! So, let’s allow them to enjoy it…safely.
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