Back to school driving tipsCan you believe that summer is already coming to an end? Around Northeast Ohio, schools are either already back in session or will be starting up very shortly. For drivers, this means it’s time to get ready to share the road with students and buses once again- not to mention frazzled parents, bicyclists and school crossing guards!

Back to School Driving Tips for a Safe Year

There are definitely a few safe back to school driving tips you should be keeping in mind, especially if you’ll be on the road during prime school drop off and pick up times, including:

  • Keep your eyes open. Avoid accidents by paying close attention when you’re driving through school zones or neighborhoods where children are walking to school. Children can dart out in traffic unexpectedly, especially if they’re running late for the bus or class.
  • Obey those school zone speed limits. Those slower speed limits exist for a reason! By slowing down you’ll be able to see what’s going on around you and react faster, thwarting a potential disaster. Never pass anyone in a school zone, either, and always yield to pedestrians, even when you think you should have the right of way.
  • Stop for the crossing guard. This goes along with the yielding to pedestrians rule. The crossing guard’s job is to make sure children are safely getting across the road accident-free. If the crossing guard gestures for you to stop, stop.
  • Likewise, stop for buses. According to the National Safety Council, most children killed in bus-related accidents are between 4 and 7 years old, and they’re usually walking. This is due to motorists not paying attention or by illegally passing stopped buses. If the bus’s red lights are flashing and the stop sign is out, you are required to stop, too. Make sure to check wit your state’s revised codes on specific school bus laws!
  • Be cautious around high schools. Depending on the neighborhood, there may not be quite as many pedestrians around a high school. However, keep in mind that you should still use caution when driving by a high school; watch out for those newly licensed teen drivers, who may not be carefully following the speed limit as they rush to get to class on time.
  • Know the rules of the school. If you’re dropping off or picking up a child, make sure you know the traffic flow around the school and where the designated spot is for your child to be. Some schools have specific areas for parents and buses, so find that information out ahead of time to avoid any confusion, or worse, an accident.

Help keep everyone safe on the road at back to school time by enrolling your teen or employees in classes at a premier driving school like DriveTeam! We offer teen driving classes and corporate driver training to drivers of all ages to ensure everyone stays as safe as possible behind the wheel. Contact us today for more information.