Back To School Safety

  • Published
  • By Amy Grantham
  • 17th Training Wing Safety

Back to school season is in full swing, which means sharing the roads with school buses, bicyclist and pedestrians. Everyone is in a hurry and things can get a bit crazy on the roads. By slowing down and paying extra attention when kids are present drivers can help keep kids safe. Below are some tips to help make the school year a safe one for everyone.

• Watch for school zones.

• No texting or cell phone use while in school zone. It’s again the law.

• Drop off and pick up at your school’s specified area, not across the street from the school.

• Carpool to help reduce the number of vehicles at the school.

• Share the road with pedestrians, bicyclist and school buses. Allow enough space for children to enter and exit the bus safely.

• According to Texas statute, a driver, traveling in either direction, must stop when approaching a school bus that is stopped and operating a visual signal. The driver may not proceed until one of the following occurs: the school bus resumes motion; the operator is signaled by the bus driver to proceed; or the visual signal is no longer activated.

• If a road is divided only by a left-turning lane, drivers on both sides of the roadway must stop for school buses with alternating red flashing lights. However, if the lanes are separated by an intervening space or physical barrier, only motorists going in the same direction as the bus are required to stop.

Before sending your children off to school make sure they and you know and understand the safety rules for pedestrian safety, bicycle safety and bus safety.

Teen crashes spike as they head back to school. Learn the best ways to keep teen drivers safe. By working together drivers and pedestrians can co-exist safely.