The new school year is upon us, so it is time to take a moment to refresh your knowledge of safety whenever driving in a school zone. School zones are particularly tricky areas to drive in due to heavy traffic and the potential for children to unexpectedly cross the middle of the road. Children are often not as aware of safety as adults are, so it is your responsibility to drive with caution, obey the rules of the road, and maintain awareness of your surroundings.
Driving Safely in a School Zone
We all want our children to be safe at school, so help reduce the inherent dangers of school zones to ensure your children and their peers can enjoy the new school year.
Here are some safety tips that will help you be a better driver every time you drop off and pick up your children from school:
- Reduce your speed: The speed limit in school zones is usually 25 mph. Even if you think it is safe enough to speed up a bit, never drive above 25 mph. It might not seem like a big deal, but driving 10 mph faster can mean the difference between life and death.
- Always make a complete stop: Drivers commonly roll through stops and, although this is never acceptable, it is particularly dangerous in a school zone. Make a complete stop and check for children crossing from either direction before you continue.
- Never drive while distracted: Distracted driving is a major cause of accidents across the country. In a school zone, this dangerous habit should especially be avoided. Children are fast, smaller than other pedestrians, and can easily be missed if you look away from the road for a bit.
- Look out for bikes: Many children ride their bicycles to school and some are inexperienced and unable to maneuver properly or predictably. If you are driving near a child riding a bike, give him or her at least 3 feet of passing distance. If your children ride bikes to school, make sure they wear proper safety gear, such as helmets, and understand how to ride safely.
- Back up responsibly: Any time you reverse in a school zone, check all of your blind spots and watch out for children who might be around your vehicle. If the area behind you is clear, back up slowly.
- Talk to your kids: Having a safety discussion with your children can also help increase their awareness whenever you drop them off at school or they are waiting to be picked up. The better their awareness is, the more cautious they will be.
We recently successfully settled a claim on behalf of a 16 year old who was struck by a car while crossing the street in front of a stopped school bus. She sustained head and neck injuries and we were able to make sure she recovered for her medical bills and pain and suffering.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today!
If your child sustained an injury in a school zone due to a negligent driver, reach out to the team at Morgan & Murphy, LLP for the knowledgeable and compassionate legal representation you need to hold the responsible party liable for your child’s injuries. Our team is backed by over 80 years of combined experience in the field, which we will use to your advantage.
Reach out to our law office today at (508) 966-7254 to schedule a complimentary case review with a trusted member of our legal team.