5 Tips for Back-to-School Driving

5 safety tips for back-to-school driving

School is officially back in session and students will be excited, which means the roads and sidewalks will be crowded with children. Stay alert!  Since there will be an increase in pedestrians and vehicles on the road compared to the last two months, you should try to be extra cautious on your morning commute.
Here are some tips for staying safe during back-to-school season:

Watch out for new drivers

If you live near a high school, you’ll likely be sharing the road with a number of drivers who recently got their license. Since new drivers aren’t as experienced, they’re likely to make more mistakes behind the wheel. As a result, it’s important that you practice defensive driving techniques so you’re ready for anything that lies ahead. Make sure you’re wide awake before stepping into your vehicle in the morning.

Take it slow in school zones

It may be frustrating to drive just 40 km/h in a school zone, but you have to remember that the decreased speed limit is there for a reason. You’re probably used to dealing with taller pedestrians and could therefore have difficulty noticing a small child crossing the street if you’re travelling at a normal speed.
It should be noted that you could face a serious fine if you speed in a school zone, so it’s not in your best interest to speed through no matter which way you slice it.

Watch for crossing guards

Always be on the lookout for crossing guards whenever you’re driving near a school. Most crossing guards fortunately wear bright-coloured vests, so they shouldn’t be particularly hard to spot.  If you see one crossing the road, you must come to a complete stop and only proceed once everyone is safely across and the crossing guard has lowered their stop sign.

Always stop for school buses

If you see a school bus with its lights flashing, stop behind it and don’t try to pass it. Children can be very unpredictable crossing the street, and may not walk in front of the bus like they’re supposed to.
Be patient and wait until the bus driver has turned their lights off before proceeding. Too many children are victims of car accidents because other drivers aren’t careful around school buses.

Leave a little earlier

Since the roads and sidewalks are likely to be a lot more crowded in your neighbourhood, it’s not a bad idea to leave your house 10 minutes earlier to avoid feeling rushed.
Many drivers get into trouble when they begin to stress about being late and don’t exercise the proper caution behind the wheel. Leaving earlier can help to eliminate the fear of being late. Instead of stressing, you can concentrate all your thoughts and energy on the road ahead.
Final word of note… remember that children are unpredictable.  That unpredictability is only heightened by the excitement of their first days at school.  Be safe and alert.