Safety Manager Tip of the Month: Back-to-School Safety

Summer is over and school is back in session. As school buses and their valuable cargo of children and teenagers return to the roads, professional drivers should proceed with extra caution. Listed are five areas that bring the biggest challenges and require your utmost attention.

School Zones

School zones typically extend for several blocks in the vicinity of a school. Watch for signs and warning lights. When lights are flashing, you must obey the posted school zone speed limit. If there are no lights, look for signs listing school zone hours. Stop for all buses that have their flashing yellow lights, red lights or stop arm activated. Watch for pedestrians crossing the road and obey crossing guards.

Bus Stops

As you approach a bus stop, slow down. Look for children near the bus stop and scan the sides of the road for bicyclists and pedestrians who may be on the way to the bus stop.

Residential Areas

Use highways as much as possible during the school year. If you must go through a residential area, slow down. Children may dart out on foot or bicycles from between parked cars. Expect plenty of school bus traffic between the hours of 7 and 9 a.m. and 3 and 5 p.m. When stopping for a school bus, leave an extended space cushion to allow children to safely enter and exit the bus. Remember, school buses must stop at all railroad crossings.

Intersections

Expect more pedestrian traffic at intersections. Do not block crosswalks at a stoplight or stop sign or when making a right-hand turn. Children won’t always wait for a green light to cross the road, so stay alert and expect the unexpected!

Right in Front of You

School buses aren’t the only sign of a new school year. So are student drivers, who are practicing their new skills on the road. Be patient whenever you encounter an inexperienced driver.

Remember, going back to school has its own set of perils for both students and drivers alike. Taking time to remind yourself of what to watch out for when on the road and then preparing for how to handle these situations can go a long way toward keeping everyone safer!