14 Safety Tips for Drivers to Avoid Back-to-School Traffic

14 Safety Tips for Drivers 
to Avoid Back-to-School Traffic

Mathew McCartney, AOL Contractor Services Manager 

Drive carefully when children and busses are at local schools. Late-August and September is the return to school for Oregon students. 

Whether due to mental fatigue, distractions, limited visibility or bad weather, car accidents during back-to-school season can result from a wide range of causes. While most of these causes are accidental, this is not an excuse for putting school children (or anyone else) in harm’s way. 

Driver Tips to Avoid Causing Vehicle Accidents:

1. Put Down the Phone
Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents—with texting behind the wheel being the primary culprit. Texting behind the wheel is also against the law in Oregon. While drivers should never text behind the wheel, it is especially important to have both hands on the wheel and both eyes on the road when driving during back-to-school season. A drivers’ first moving violation ticket in Jackson County is roughly $265 dollars! 

2. Observe All Traffic Signs and Signals
From speed limit signs and stop signs to stop lights and school crossing markers, all traffic signs and signals are there for a reason. Drivers need to observe these signs and signals to keep themselves—and others—safe on the road.

As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, drivers should also keep in mind that they may need to slow down and approach intersections more cautiously. Slippery roads and limited visibility can make it unsafe to drive at the posted speed limit or follow normal braking patterns.

3. Stop at Crosswalks and School Crossing Zones
Any time children (or pedestrians) may be present, drivers should exercise caution when approaching crosswalks and school crossing zones. When in doubt about pedestrian movements, drivers should come to a complete stop, and proceed with caution when it is safe to do so. Drivers should never enter crosswalks or school crossing zones occupied by pedestrians, and they should heed all instructions from crossing guards. In Jackson County, 6 feet is the safe distance to begin driving once the kids have crossed in front of your car. 

4. Leave On-Time, or Better 10 Minutes EARLY
Feeling rushed can lead drivers to make poor decisions on the road. The easiest way not to feel rushed is to make sure you leave on time—if not a little bit early. If you have trouble getting-up in the morning, consider changing your routine so you go to bed earlier. Or, if this isn’t an option, consider doing some of your routine morning tasks (i.e., gathering gear or packing lunch) the night before.

5. Remain Calm
While driving in morning traffic can be stressful, it is important to always remain calm. Getting frustrated or flustered can also lead to poor decision-making. Tailgating, road rage and other similar mistakes are not justified under any circumstance. And, just one mistake is enough to change someone’s life forever.

6. Manage Your Time Effectively
Similar to item 4, when drivers are running late, they are more likely to increase their speed and make erratic maneuvers to make up for lost time. Regardless of how long you have made the same commute, allow yourself extra time to get to your destination during the back-to-school season.

7. Pay Great Attention to School Zones, Crosswalks, and Crossing Guards
It is crucial to be careful when driving through school zones and crosswalks throughout the year, especially when school is in session.

8. Always Stop for School Buses
As buses drop-off and pick-up students and give them adequate room – School buses have flashing stop signs for a reason. Never pass a school bus when it is letting-off or picking-up students. Always provide boarding or exiting students with adequate room. When traveling close to a school bus, be even more cautious than you would if traveling near another car. 

9. Look Out for Children at All Times of The Day
Children are notorious for making unpredictable movements. Always slow your speed and stay on high alert when passing areas often populated by children— like school zones, parks, and playgrounds.

10. Be Alert for Bicyclists and Give Them Adequate Room
While it can be frustrating for drivers to share the road with bicyclists, vehicles must yield to a bicycle the same as a car. In Oregon, a bicyclist has the same rights to occupy a traffic lane as the motor vehicle. For this reason, drivers must be courteous while sharing the road with, and passing, bicyclists.

Driver Tips for Safety Around School Buses:

A. Get to the Bus Stop On-Time
Parents should be sure to get their children to the bus stop on time—whether this means getting them to the end of the driveway or a shared pickup point. Children should never run near the road when cars, buses or other vehicles may be present, and children should be standing in a safe location that the bus driver can see easily when the bus arrives.

B. Teach Your Children About Road Safety
Parents can help their children avoid the risk of injury by teaching them about road safety. For example, in addition to knowing not to run near traffic, children should also know how to read traffic signs and signals, how to check for cars coming in both directions, and how to use crosswalks properly.

C. Follow the Bus Driver’s Instructions
Parents and students alike should follow the bus driver’s instructions. With bus drivers’ high vantage point, they can often see safety risks that parents and students cannot. If a bus driver says to wait, then wait. There is almost certainly a good reason why.

D. Never Stop or Bend-Over in Front of a School Bus
Even with a bus drivers’ high vantage point, they typically cannot see the ground directly in front of the bus. As a result, parents and students should never stop or bend over directly in front of a school bus. If a student drops something while crossing the road, the student (or the student’s parent) should communicate with the bus driver to let him or her know that something needs to be retrieved out of the bus driver’s view. Once the bus driver acknowledges, then it is safe to pick-up the dropped object.

E. Keep All Body Parts Inside the Bus
Finally, parents should remind their children to keep all body parts inside the bus. While the bus driver will likely give these reminders also, bus drivers can’t always see everything going on behind them while they are paying attention to the road. Body parts stuck-out of bus windows can strike signs, tree limbs and other objects, and this can potentially lead to serious injuries.

F. Follow School Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedure
Schools implement strategic drop-off and pick-up guidelines to ensure the safety of all students. Make sure to follow your child’s school procedure for bus stops. If you are new to the school, inquire before the first day so you can prepare properly.

Summary
Most accidents can be avoided. YOU must make the difference in driving safety!