As summer ends and the school year begins, roads across the country will only get busier. This is especially true during the early morning and afternoon hours. School zones fill with buses, crossing guards, kids on bikes, and rushed parents dropping off kids. With so much activity happening in a short window of time, back-to-school season is one of the most dangerous times of year for traffic accidents involving children.
Whether you are a parent, a daily commuter or a teen driver heading to class, understanding the importance of back-to-school traffic safety can help prevent car accidents and save lives. Keep reading for important information and tips on how to stay safe.
The Increased Risk During Back-to-School Season
It should come as no surprise that accidents involving children are most likely to happen when the school day begins and ends. Drivers often underestimate how unpredictable traffic becomes in school zones and near bus stops. Kids may dart between cars, ride bikes without looking both ways, or misjudge traffic speed.
Meanwhile, drivers themselves may be distracted or unfamiliar with school zone rules. Add in busy intersections, changing weather conditions, and the start of fall sports and extracurriculars, and it is clear that back-to-school driving requires extra caution.
School Zones: Slow Down and Stay Alert
Speed limits in school zones exist for a reason. In most areas, school zone speed limits are 15 to 25 mph during specific hours, typically when children are arriving or leaving school for the day. Driving even a few miles per hour over the limit can mean the difference between life and death in a collision involving a child.
It is critical to pay attention to school zone signs, flashing lights, and crossing guards. Never pass another vehicle in a school zone, even if it appears to be stopped without reason. Always come to a full stop at crosswalks, and be prepared for pedestrians who may suddenly appear from between parked cars or buses.
Bus Safety: Know When to Stop
One of the most important back-to-school safety rules involves school buses. In Ohio, it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended. This rule applies whether you are behind the bus or approaching it from the opposite direction on roadways. The only exception would be if you are approaching a stopped school bus from the opposite direction when the road has four or more lanes or is a divided highway.
Failing to stop for a school bus not only puts children at risk but can also result in serious consequences for the driver. These penalties include heavy fines, points on your license, and even the suspension of your driving privileges.
Pedestrian Awareness
Many students walk or bike to school, especially in suburban and urban areas. These young pedestrians may not always follow traffic rules or recognize danger. Drivers should always yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and approach intersections with care, particularly near school entrances or neighborhood sidewalks.
For example, when turning at intersections or pulling out of driveways, check your mirrors and blind spots carefully for children on bikes. Cyclists often ride along the edge of the road and may be difficult to see. Give bikes plenty of space, and do not assume they will stay in a straight line or obey traffic signals perfectly.
Avoiding Distracted Driving Near Schools
Avoiding distractions is one of the most critical parts of back-to-school driving safety, since even a momentary lapse in attention can have serious consequences in school zones. Texting, eating, or adjusting your GPS while driving is always dangerous, but it becomes even riskier near schools. Because children are unpredictable and can enter the roadway without warning, a distracted driver may not see a child until it is too late.
To stay focused, put your phone away or use hands-free features. Finish your breakfast or coffee before you start driving. If you need to adjust directions or respond to a message, pull into a safe parking area and come to a complete stop. Distracted driving penalties are on the rise and can have serious consequences.
Safe Drop-Off and Pick-Up Practices
Many accidents occur not on the open road but in school parking lots and drop-off zones. These areas become congested during morning and afternoon hours, with cars pulling in and out, children exiting vehicles, and staff trying to direct traffic.
Follow your school’s designated drop-off and pick-up procedures. Do not double park or block crosswalks. Avoid dropping children off across the street, which allows them to run through traffic. Teach children to exit and enter vehicles on the side nearest the curb, and never let them walk behind your car while you are reversing. Staying calm, alert, and respectful of other drivers ensures smoother traffic flow and supports overall back-to-school traffic safety for parents, students, and staff alike.
Teen Drivers and School Commutes
For many high school students, back to school means a new level of independence behind the wheel. But young drivers are still gaining experience, and back-to-school traffic adds new risks. Teens may become overwhelmed by heavy traffic, unpredictable pedestrians, and busy intersections near school grounds.
Parents should remind teen drivers to leave extra time for their commute, avoid distractions, and never speed through school zones. If they are carpooling with friends, stress the importance of staying focused and avoiding peer pressure that could lead to reckless behavior.
Call Us After an Accident
Accidents can still occur even when drivers, parents and pedestrians take every precaution. When a collision results from another party’s negligence, the experienced car accident attorneys at Nurenberg, Paris can help. We offer free consultations to discuss potential legal options and next steps.
