The next few weeks bring the return of hopefully cooler weather, football season, and school. Parents and their children spend their time finding the right supplies, figuring out schedules and classrooms, and preparing to start learning again. With this new season, there also comes the return of school drop-off traffic, school zones, and bus routes. These really impact the roads and traffic, and it does take time for drivers to be reminded of the rules. We are going to discuss the school zone safety rules and what you can do to keep yourself and children safe.
School Drop Off/Pick Up Zones
If you live around schools, or if your routes pass near schools, you are going to experience traffic. For about an hour, those areas can be hard to navigate. It could take you a little longer to get where you need to be. It could be beneficial for you to take a route away from the school, or go a little before or after the drop off/pick up time.
One of the main things to remember in these areas is that there will most likely be a crosswalk. It is so important to be aware of the crosswalks and how you can keep everyone safe. In an article by KSL, they stated “According to the Red Cross, more than 25,000 children were injured nationwide last year while commuting to or from school.”
If you are driving in these areas, be very aware of the children on the sides of the roads. There are crosswalks that have the light up signs and some with a Crossing Guard. If you get to a crosswalk with the flashing lights, but it doesn’t look like anyone is around, you still need to yield. A child could dart into the road from somewhere you can’t see. Drivers also cannot cross the intersection if the Crossing Guard is in the roadway at all. Even if you think all of the children are out of the way, you still cannot cross until the guard has moved back to the sidewalk.
If you are a parent of a child who walks to school, make sure that you teach them good safety protocols around vehicles.
Be Aware of Surroundings
Often when kids walk to school, they are with friends and are playing around. This can result in kids getting pushed towards the road or tripped onto the road. They also might not pay attention to bikers on the sidewalk, or whether they can cross streets. They should try to not have headphones in, so they can hear cars coming or horns warning them of traffic.
Follow Crosswalk Rules
Your kids should wait to cross the road until a crossing guard is available. If they have to cross a road that does not have a crossing guard, make sure they know to wait until they have a walk sign or the walking lights are on. If they have to cross roads without any safety measures, make sure they know to look both ways, wait for cars to come to a complete stop, and that they don’t run across the road without warning. Also remind me that jaywalking is dangerous.
School Zones
Most areas around schools have a school zone. When the school zone flashing lights are on, this means that you must go the posted speed limit, usually 20 mph, until you leave the school zone. They are usually on an hour before and after school. If you don’t follow the speed limit during these times, the fines are higher, and penalties could also include community service or jail time.
If the lights are on, but it seems like they should not be on, don’t assume it’s a mistake, and you can drive faster. There could be an after school event.
Bus Routes
Although it can be frustrating to drive behind a bus as they are on their routes, you should be patient and careful when driving nearby. If a bus’s lights are flashing and the stop arm is up, you must stop. Whether you are behind the bus, or driving the opposite direction. The stop arm stops all traffic on the road. This is because children might be crossing the road and they can come from all directions: in front of the bus or even behind. The only time you don’t need to stop for the bus is if you are on a divided highway of four lanes or more, and there is a median separation of the roads.
It is still important to look around if you see a bus stopping to let children off. Sometimes their actions can be unpredictable.
As we prepare for the school season, let us also prepare to be safe. Remind your kids of how they can stay safe as they walk to school. Drivers should also make sure to be cautious and aware of their surroundings.
FLICKINGER BOULTON ROBSON WEEKS
If you’ve been been hurt in a school zone or if a loved one has suffered serious injuries because of someone else’s carelessness, Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks is here to help you get the compensation you deserve. We understand how difficult the emotional and financial impacts of a pedestrian accident can be, especially for a child, and we are committed to guiding you with care and expertise.
Call (801) 500-4000 for a free consultation. We will listen to your story, explain your legal options, and create a plan that works for you.
