Whether you're dropping off your own kids or simply driving through a school zone, we're all part of keeping kids safe this school year. Back-to-school changes the roads for everyone. Suddenly there are school buses, crossing guards, brand-new kindergarteners who don't always look both ways, and parents trying to juggle a hundred things before 8 a.m. Whether you're in the school drop-off line every morning or simply driving through your neighborhood, a few small habits can make a big difference.
9 Back-to-School Safety Tips for Drivers
Driving the speed limit through a school zone is safe. Slowing down even more when you see kids near crosswalks is even safer. Staying completely distraction-free during school drop-off and pickup? That's about as safe as it gets. Here are nine simple ways to help keep everyone safer this school year.
1. Even if you don't have kids riding the bus, every driver plays a role in getting children to and from school safely.
School buses are the safest vehicles on the road. This is partially because of a school bus’ special construction, but it’s also because of YOU. Buses are the most regulated vehicles on the road, and there are lots of traffic laws dedicated to safety around school buses! When everyone is following the law, school buses are ultra-safe.
To keep the roads as safe as possible, review school bus safety laws and keep your eyes peeled for buses and bus stops. Most importantly, NEVER pass a bus that has the stop arm out. Even if you’re driving in the opposite direction. (Check local laws to see if you can keep driving in the opposite direction if there’s a median!) Remember to also leave a good stopping distance between you and a bus so they can safely slow down and park at a bus stop. Passing a stopped school bus leads to fines and even worse, injuries to children.
2. Stay alert.
In 2020, over 3,000 people died in traffic accidents associated with distracted driving. We know mornings are busy. Something spills. Your kindergartner suddenly remembers today's show-and-tell. Your GPS reroutes you. But school zones are one place where giving the road your full attention matters most. Stay focused and eliminate distractions.
3. Follow speed limits and be aware of school zones.
Speed limits aren’t meant to be a buzz kill. They’re intelligently set to keep the occupants of that area safe. Stay within the speed limits, and keep your eye out for school zones. When you reach a school zone, you’ll have to slow down at certain times of the day. These signs are usually marked with yellow on a standard speed limit sign. Don’t miss it!
4. Watch for pedestrians, children, and cyclists.
Young children are wonderfully unpredictable. They may dart toward a friend, chase a dropped backpack, or forget to look for traffic before stepping off the curb. Expect the unexpected.
5. Prepare and give yourself extra time.
New schedules often mean rushing to work or the school drop-off. This only increases the danger. You may exceed speed limits and get distracted by your frustration. To prevent that frantic morning rush, get backpacks and outfits ready the night before, organize your car, and leave lots of extra time to get to your destination. You’ll stay calm and focused that way! Oh, and safe, of course.
6. Be mindful of drop-off.
The school drop-off line or parking area can feel a little like Mad Max. Follow all your school’s drop-off rules and be aware of kids who might be weaving through parked cars. Additionally, don’t pass cars stopped to load or unload children because you don’t know which direction they might run in! Stay super alert and drive slowly at the busy school drop-off.
7. Don’t block the crosswalk.
If you’re coming up to a stop sign or red light, do not block the crosswalk. Not only is parking in the crosswalk inconvenient for the pedestrians walking through, but it’s also unsafe! If you roll into a crosswalk, you could hit someone crossing the intersection at the same moment. It’s very important for drivers to slow down early and stop BEFORE the crosswalk.
8. Be cautious of new drivers on the road.
When high school is in session, it means there are a lot of 16-year-olds (in some states, as young as 14!) driving on the road. They’re new to driving. They’re much more likely to be distracted. They also don’t have the experience to react quickly to changing road conditions. And they may not know all of the traffic safety laws. Since you can’t depend on these drivers to be safe (or any drivers, for that matter), always drive defensively to prevent accidents. You can only control your own actions, so be safe and focused at all times!
9. Ensure your kids are in the right seat.
Before school starts, make sure your child still fits their seat. Kids can grow a lot over the summer. Before the first day:
- Check harness height.
- Confirm they haven't exceeded height or weight limits.
- Make sure their booster still fits correctly.
- Remove bulky backpacks before buckling.
It's one of the easiest back-to-school safety checks you can make. The right car seat installed correctly reduces the risk of injury in an accident by 82%! Unfortunately, up to 40% of children are NOT in a proper child restraint system.
Not sure if your child should be rear-facing or forward-facing? Should they still be in a booster? Can they sit in the front seat? All these questions are great ones to ask. For the best information about car seat safety, check out our blog and follow us on Instagram.
The roads get even more dangerous during the school year, so brush up on your back-to-school safety and do your part to keep the streets safe.
Back-to-school already comes with enough decisions. The good news? Safe driving doesn't require perfection. It comes down to slowing down, staying alert, and remembering that every child walking, biking, or riding the bus is counting on the adults behind the wheel. Focus on what actually matters, and you'll help make the roads safer for everyone this school year.
Affiliate links are included above. Safe in the Seat earns a small commission when you purchase through these links with no cost to you. We so appreciate your support.
