Back-to-school traffic safety tips

With the new school year underway, it is a great time for a reminder that keeping kids safe in school zones is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’re dropping off your own children or just passing through, staying alert can help prevent accidents and keep our roads safe for everyone.

Every year in Texas, hundreds of crashes happen in school zones, leading to serious injuries or worse. Many of these accidents can be avoided with a bit of extra care and attention. By following school bus and school zone laws, and driving safely, you can help keep the kids in your community safe.

“Whether they are simply walking or even riding a school bus, bike, skateboard or scooter, it’s important that we remind children about potential traffic safety hazards,” said Rachel Walker, program director for the Passenger Safety and KidSafe Initiatives program in the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Family and Community Health unit.

Tips for driving around school zones 

Walker encourages drivers, when driving around school zones, to be alert to child and adult pedestrians, bicyclists and skateboarders coming from behind parked cars, and said they should double-check side mirrors before opening the car door.

Some of her additional tips for school zone safety are:

• Be patient: Slow down and plan to arrive early.
• Stay off your phone: Avoid distractions like texting or checking your phone while driving.
• Look for signage: Be familiar with where the school zones begin and end, and stick to the speed limit.
• Watch for children: Children can appear unexpectedly between parked cars or in crosswalks.
• Obey crossing guards: Look for crossing zones and always follow crossing guard instructions.
• Follow parking rules: Obey all posted parking restrictions and use the school’s designated drop-off areas.
• Drop off at the curbside: Make sure children exit the cars and can immediately get onto the sidewalk, away from traffic.
• Be mindful of bus stops: Use caution around bus stops and watch for groups of children waiting.

Safety advice when driving around school buses

While school buses are one of the safest ways children can travel to and from school, they can still be at risk getting on and off the buses. Walker said some tips for motorists sharing the road with school buses are:  

• Keep your distance: When driving behind a bus, follow at a safe distance and keep in mind the bus will make frequent stops.                            
• Stop for flashing lights: When the bus has flashing red lights or the stop sign is extended, be sure to come to a complete stop, regardless of the direction you’re headed.
• Yield to crosswalks: Give children and other pedestrians in crosswalks the right of way, especially in school zones.

Reminders for children walking to school 

Children walking to school should use the sidewalk or walk close to the curb where they would be facing oncoming traffic, Walker said. Other advice she had for young pedestrians includes:

• Cross at intersections: Always use the marked crosswalk or cross at intersections.
• Look both ways: Make sure to look for cars before stepping into the street. Look left, right and left again before proceeding.
• Listen to the crossing guards: They will let you know when to cross.
• Make eye contact: Before crossing the street, make sure drivers see you as well.

“Traffic safety really is a two-way street,” Walker said. “Pedestrians and drivers sharing the road are responsible for one another’s safety and should always be alert to any potential dangers. And back-to-school traffic safety requires that everyone remain patient, alert and vigilant in addition to obeying all traffic rules and avoiding distractions.”