Getting your driver’s license is generally exciting for teenagers, but nerve-wracking for parents since they may not fully grasp the implications of driving without a care.
You hope, as a parent, they stay focused on the road, are aware of road signs and speed limits, and pay attention to the other drivers on the road.
When family summer vacation travels have ended and the kids are heading back to school, there are even more cautions to be aware of on the road, i.e. school zones and bus stops.
8 Back To School Driving Safety Tips
Since the school year is picking up and new drivers are entering the road, there are a few back-to-school driving tips to help keep your teenager safe because a car accident is probably not how you or your child planned on kicking off the school year.
Below is a list of 8 safety tips for drivers to remind your new driver how best to stay safe throughout the school year.
Slow Down at School Zones and Bus Stops
School zones and bus stops should be treated with caution as there may be children crossing the street. Speed limits are strictly enforced in school zones and drivers must yield to pedestrians at crosswalks. Make sure to always slow down near these areas so that no one is getting hurt.
Don’t Text and Drive
Texting and driving is not only illegal but extremely dangerous. It’s important to put the phone away or turn off notifications while in the car. This will help ensure that your teen is staying focused on the road and not distracted by text messages, emails, or social media notifications.
Stick to the Speed Limits
Speeding not only endangers yourself and other drivers, but it also adds to the risk of getting a ticket. Keep the speed dialed down when traveling through school zones and residential areas.
Be Aware of Bus Stops and Pedestrian Traffic
It’s important to be aware of blind spots while driving so that you don’t miss any cars or pedestrians. Check your mirrors and make sure to turn around before changing lanes or merging into traffic. To make sure that you are aware of your surroundings, be sure to check your mirrors regularly to spot any potential hazards on the road.
This is especially important if you’re driving yourself to school. Be aware of reduced speeds in a school zone, as well as school bus stops along the way. When you see school buses with flashing lights, that means they’re preparing to board or unload children at a stop. You may also see school crossing guards in your neighborhood.
Avoid Media Player Distractions
Playing music or watching videos on the media player can be a distraction, especially if it’s of a higher volume. Keep your eyes on the road and keep the audio at a low volume so that you don’t miss any important sounds from the outside world.
Get Your GPS Ready Before Getting in the Car
Distracted driving can be more dangerous than texting and driving. When setting up your GPS, make sure to do it before getting in the car so that you don’t miss any turns or take a wrong turn while trying to enter an address into the device.
Wear Your Seat Belt at All Times
Seat belts are designed to keep you safe in case of a car accident. Make sure to buckle up and keep your seat belt on at all times so that you stay safe throughout the ride (and adhere to the law!).
Leave Early to Beat Traffic
Try to leave early so that you can beat traffic and arrive at your destination on time. This will also help reduce the risk of getting in an accident due to heavy traffic or aggressive drivers cutting each other off.
Back to School Driving
Some of the tips may seem trivial or are common sense, but they are easily overlooked. Even though your teen passed the driving course, there is still a lot to learn about driving.
Make sure that they have a good night’s rest to help them focus on driving, keep their eyes on the road, and be aware of the drivers and other school children around them. This will help them get to school safely.
As always, the personal injury attorneys at Lowman Law Firm want to help you keep your family safe this school year, so we hope you and your family have a great school year and stay safe.