Summer break is over, and students across the country are heading back to the classroom for the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Extra care needs to be taken by drivers who are again sharing the roads with school buses, children on foot and on bicycles, busy parents in cars, and newly-licensed teenagers getting themselves off to class.
To help keep children safe, drivers should prepare for the changes in traffic and congestion with the following back to school driving tips:
Respect the Yellow Bus
Know and abide by the laws for sharing the road with school buses, especially:
It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop; red flashing lights and an extended stop sign arm indicate that children are getting on or off the bus.
Traffic in both directions must stop on undivided roadways when students are entering or exiting a school bus. State laws on divided highways vary, but all states require that traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop.
Give children plenty of space to safely enter and exit the bus. Children are most in danger of being hit in a 10 feet perimeter around a school bus. Watch for children arriving late for the bus, who may dart into the street without looking for traffic.
Remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving.
Follow school buses at a safe distance. Remember that they make frequent stops and must stop at all railroad crossings.
Watch for Pedestrians & Riders
Scan for the movement of pedestrians, bicyclists, scooter riders and skateboarders not only on the street and sidewalk, but coming out of driveways and from behind parked cars and other obstructions as well. Also, note that children may be especially difficult to see behind parked sport-utility vehicles.
Recognize that youngsters can be impulsive. They will often take risks, ignore hazards and fail to look both ways before crossing the street or running after a ball. Remain vigilant, particularly for children distracted by cell phones, headphones or friends, and be ready to stop.
Pay extra attention in school zones and residential areas, as well as near playgrounds and parks. Youngsters can be difficult to see, especially at dawn or dusk or in poor weather when visibility is reduced.
Don’t block a crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn. Forcing youngsters to go around your vehicle puts them in the path of moving traffic. In school zones with blinking warning flashers, stop and yield to pedestrians and bicyclists whether there is a marked crosswalk or not.
Avoid honking the horn or revving your engine when children are in front of your vehicle in a crosswalk. You can startle them and potentially endanger their lives. Wait patiently for youngsters to finish their crossing before you proceed.
Give children riding bikes, scooters or skateboards a wide berth. If passing, do so slowly and smoothly. If you don’t have sufficient room, do not attempt to pass.
Use your turn signals and allow riders to pass before making a turn. The most common causes of collisions with bicycles are when drivers are turning left in front of an oncoming bicycle or turning right across the path of the bicycle.
Be aware that children riding bikes, scooters or skateboards may swerve, brake suddenly, or even fall. There can also be obstacles on the roadway such as debris or potholes that can be challenging even for experienced riders.
Remember the School Zone Rules
Keep in mind that traffic patterns around school zones may have changed since the last school year. Also remember that children are often outside at various times for recess, lunch and for certain classes, so it's important to remain alert throughout the day.
Abide by the posted speed limit and be prepared to brake. Speed limits in most active school zones is 25 mph; however, local municipalities may change the speed limit to meet community needs. Bad weather may also necessitate lower speeds.
Obey all school zone warning signs and instructions from patrol officers and crossing guards. Proceed with caution once the crossing guard returns to the sidewalk and lowers the stop sign.
Slow down and remain attentive for newly-licensed, inexperienced teenage drivers. Keep in mind that you may also encounter new school bus drivers who may not yet be familiar or comfortable with the vehicle, routes, students or parents. Stay alert, and set a good example for these new drivers by practicing safe driving.
Expect heavier traffic backups near schools, and avoid school zones during peak times, if possible. The bus driver shortage, canceled bus routes and more kids riding to and from school with home-working parents has resulted in longer school drop-off/pick-up lines than ever before. This car line chaos often extends well beyond the school zone and creates hazards for other motorists, most notably, those driving large commercial vehicles that require more room to turn. If you encounter a backup, slow down and be patient. Importantly, stop if there is not enough space to execute your maneuver safely. Also note that some school districts may be staggering schedules due to bus driver shortages. This means that school zones may be active for longer or active at unexpected times.
