As the leaves change colours and fall to the ground, more kids fill the streets and roads again this school season. School buses are back making frequent stops and children on bikes and skateboards all need to share the road with you. It is always important to pay attention during this time of year – especially before and after school. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you drive during these peak times:
Zoning
Speed limits are reduced for a reason near schools, so be sure to be aware of this and adjust accordingly. Even if you are driving outside of school hours, children could race across the road after a sporting practice or dance. High schools will have new drivers, so pay extra attention in these areas.
Big, yellow buses
Always stop behind school buses that have their stop sign out and their lights flashing, even if you are driving in the opposite direction. Children could cross either side of the road at this stop and you will face a hefty fine if you are caught disobeying this signal. If possible, use a different route than the school buses to avoid kids darting across the road.
Slippery road conditions
As cozy as rainy weather and falling leaves are, they can create unsafe road conditions. Always stop early and gradually, but especially when roads are wet. Most of us haven’t switched to winter tires yet at this point and all-season tires begin to lose their grip at around 7C.
Be a good role model
Set a good example while you drive by not using your cell phone, following the road rules, and avoiding aggressive behaviour. Kids are impressionable, so if they see you engaging in this kind of behaviour they may think it is okay for them to do the same when they learn to drive. And, bad driving habits increase your risk of being in an accident.
Crossing guards
These people are easy to recognize at a crosswalk with their brightly coloured, reflective vests and stop sign in hand. Obey their directions and come to a complete stop when you see them start to cross the pedestrian path. Cautiously drive through once they return to the sidewalk and lower their stop sign.
Parking lots
School parking lots tend to be chaotic with parents rushing to quickly drop their kids off and be on their way to work and novice drivers trying to make it before the bell rings for class. It is a commonplace for fender-benders to occur, which is easily avoidable with a bit of planning. The best thing you can do is leave home early to prevent rushing. If you need to park, back into a parking spot so you can avoid backing out of a busy parking lot. Installing a backup camera can help with reverse parking and help you see small children that your mirrors might miss.
Get enough sleep
Many accidents can be avoided if drivers are more alert. Try unplugging from your devices at least an hour before bedtime to fall asleep quickly and easily to ensure you get at least seven to eight hours of sleep. Drowsy driving can be as risky as intoxicated driving, so be aware of the state you are in and find an alternative if you are too sleepy to be behind the wheel.
