Keys to Driving Safe This School Year

Pack your book bags because the school year is officially in full swing, and with it comes plenty of added traffic on your morning commute. We understand adjusting your schedule to go with the flow of congestion can take awhile, especially for the parents out there who are also getting their kids to and from school. So, to give you a refresher course, we thought we’d share our notes on how to stay safe. Pencils ready? Let’s begin.

SCHOOL ZONES

• There are roughly 81.5 million students enrolled in the U.S., and those numbers are only going up. This means, the more students, the more schools and school zones we can expect to see across the nation. Get a head start on your morning travel plans by making sure you know where and when these zones are active. Their drastically lower speed limits coupled with increased traffic is something you’ll want to plan for or avoid altogether, if possible.

TEXTING & DRIVING

• Whether in traffic or in a school zone, avoid being on your phone – no matter what. At upwards of $200, the fine for texting and driving is expensive, but it could cost someone so much more. Sadly, more children are hit by cars in school zones than in any other location, and a good portion of that is due to inattentive drivers. Texting while driving has become so much of a problem that some states are even banning their use at all times behind the wheel. So, give that phone a break and give the attention to the safety of the kids around you.

SCHOOL BUSSES

• Think of it this way: Busses are essentially moving school zones, and it definitely pays to know the laws surrounding them. Never pass a bus if it’s stopped and unloading children, even if the stop sign isn’t extended from the side. When following a bus, always give it at least 10 feet of space for kids to safely exit the bus. Above all, always be alert – children can be unpredictable and sometimes don’t recognize hazards, so it’s up to you to be aware.

It may seem like basic knowledge, but reinforcing safety knowledge after the summer break is the key to keeping kids, crossing guards and even the family in your own car safe. We wish you the best this school season, and if you happen to pick up a few dings in the school drop-off line, we’ll be ready to restore you to the rhythm of your life.