Summer is coming to a close and back to school season is upon us! In addition to the influx of school buses on the streets and increased traffic, this means that the rules of the road may be slightly different than the ones you experience in the summer months.
Whether you are a new driver who’s excited to cruise into the high school parking lot, or a parent dropping off your child, it is always worthwhile to remind yourself of safe driving habits as back to school rolls around.
So we’ve put together a list of tips to keep you (and those around you) safe this school year:
1. Obey stop signs and reduced speed signs in school zones
The reduced speed limits in school zones are meant to keep pedestrians safe. Whether the speed limit is 15 mph or 25 mph, remain aware of your surroundings and keep your eye on your speedometer. It is also important to obey all stop signs, making sure that you come to a full stop before proceeding.
2. Be Aware of School Buses
The big yellow buses may seem like a hassle to drivers trying to get to work, but they have the very important job of transporting students safely to and from school. This means that drivers should always come to a complete stop behind a school bus that’s letting students on or off of the vehicle. Also, remember to give school buses some space and reduce your speed when driving behind them because they will stop frequently.
3. Stay alert for bicyclists and walkers
Drivers always need to yield to pedestrians, and in school zones, this becomes particularly important. On nicer days, many students may walk or bike to school, so keep an eye on the sidewalks and crosswalks.
Check out more tips for sharing the road with bicycles, here!
4. Check your blind spots
As always, remember to check your blind spots. In school parking lots children can be unpredictable and bicycles may be difficult to spot due to their small size.
5. Don’t be a distracted driver
In a school zone, pedestrians are everywhere, so distracted driving can be particularly dangerous. Student drivers and parents alike should be focused drivers by never texting while driving, keeping the music on a lower volume, and keeping the number of passengers consistent with the number of available seat belts.
6. For student drivers—check on your insurance policy
Parents can help protect their student drivers by ensuring that they have the proper auto insurance policy. In fact, students may be eligible for a number of discounts including good student discounts, good driver discounts, or even a discount for completing a driver’s education course. Back to school is a great time to check in with your insurance company about the best policy for your student driver.