Personal Injury Lawyer
School zones are places you should always enact extra care and attention to when you drive through them. With so many children of all ages around, an accident could happen in the blink of an eye. No one wants to think about a personal injury that occurs in this safe space, so researching and following safety measures can be a great way to avoid catastrophe. Here are the top safety tips for traveling in school zones.
- Check Your Speed
Young children don’t always understand the danger of the street. Reducing your speed as you pass through a school zone gives you more time to react and slam on the brakes in the event that a child runs out in front of your car. Most school zones have speed limits of 20 MPH when school is about to start or has just ended and traffic around the school is busiest. Make sure to obey the posted limit for the length of the school zone.
- Be Vigilant
Keep a sharp eye out when passing through a school zone for any children that aren’t paying attention. You should decrease distractions, like the radio, when you pass through zones. Tuck your cell phone away in a place that is out of sight so that you aren’t tempted to pick up a call as you’re driving through.
- Adhere to the Crossing Guard
Crossing guards are posted at particularly busy or hazardous crosswalks. They are there to ensure every pedestrian gets across safely, and they may stay in the street past when the light has changed to green if there are still pedestrians crossing. Always adhere to a crossing guard’s signs and wait until they are safely back on the sidewalk before moving.
- Stop for School Buses
A school bus is equipped with flashing red lights and a deployable stop sign for a reason: passing one is illegal. This is because children may cross the street after being dropped off by the bus. Passing a bus could put a child in direct danger of being hit. If you’re behind a bus, be patient and wait for the bus to proceed.
- Idle in Proper Areas
When picking up children from school, don’t block crosswalks or zones that are needed to keep traffic moving. This can make others frustrated and put children at risk. Pay attention to any attendants guiding traffic and follow their directions.
Adhering to these basic tips can ensure children and yourself are kept safe in school zones. If you or someone you know was injured in an accident, though, contact a lawyer, today.
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