Back-to-School Driving Safety Tips
Carpools, buses, and students on bicycles or on foot can complicate your commute—and compromise safety.
From 2008 to 2017, 264 children were killed in school-transportation-related crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Of those, 203 were either walking, waiting for the bus, biking, or riding to or from school in another vehicle.
As the new school year gets into full swing, here are some ways you can help keep others safe when you’re driving.
- Be on high alert when entering a school zone, even on weekends and evenings. Slow down—whether you see children or not—and always obey speed limits, traffic signs and crossing guards.
- Never text and drive. Avoid multitasking and distracted driving.
- If you’re driving with children under the age of 13, have them sit in the backseat.
- Make sure infant and child car seats are properly installed. Car seats reduce the risk of death by 28 percent in the event of a crash. Visit safeseats4kids.aaa.com (http://safeseats4kids.aaa.com) for more safety facts, car seat guides, inspection information, car seat recalls and more.
- Double check for children in blind spots and when driving in reverse. Teach your children never to play in, under or around vehicles.
- Be on alert for children getting on and off school buses and crossing the street outside of marked crosswalks. Maintain a safe distance behind buses and expect frequent stops.
- When carpooling, remind passengers that they are legally required to wear a seatbelt.
For more information, visit AAA.com/Insurance
The information listed above was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. AAA South Jersey, its affiliates and employees assume no liability in connection with the information or suggestions. The recommendations provided are general in nature; there may be additional safety procedures available that are not referenced on this webpage.