It’s hard to believe that we are talking back-to-school time already, but the first day of classes for students in the School District of Palm Beach County is August 14, 2017. While the start of the school year brings excitement for some and trepidation for others, it is a time when everyone should be making safety a top priority.
Whether you shuttle your kids to school, your kids take the bus, or you have teens who are driving themselves (or riding with friends), here are five safety tips to keep in mind for the 2017-2018 school year.
1. Teach Your Children School Bus Safety
If your children ride a school bus, there are several steps you can teach them to help avoid the risk of dangerous accidents on the road. For example, while waiting at the bus stop, children should be sure to stay well out of traffic, and they should remain attentive to their surroundings at all times. They should also wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before approaching the door. You can learn lots of additional information school bus safety from the National Safety Council (NSC).
2. Put the Phones Away
This goes for both teens and adults. Driving is not a time to be scrolling through social media feeds or texting with friends. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that teens are more likely to talk or text while driving than adults, but not by much. Set a good example for your teen drivers by putting your phone out of reach while driving, and consider implementing a family policy of never picking up a phone while behind the wheel.
3. Warn Your Teens the Risks of Driving Distractions
Along with cell use, there are countless other distractions that lead to car accidents throughout on a daily basis. Your teens are new to driving, so they may not fully understand the level of impairment that can result from being distracted. Help your kids understand the effects of driving distractions, and impress upon them the importance of letting their friends and bus drivers stay focused on the road. Vehicles that come with backup cameras are an additional safety feature, especially for less experienced drivers.
4. Keep a Safe Distance
Even if you and your children avoid distractions, unfortunately, other people won’t. Keeping a safe distance from the car in front of you can give you the opportunity to stop or maneuver around a potential collision. Avoid tailgating; and, if someone is tailgating you, let them pass when it is safe to do so.
5. Obey the Speed Limit
It is no secret that many teen drivers get a rush from driving fast. Likewise, parents may feel the need to speed in order to drop their children off and still get to work on time. But, the morning drive to school is not a time to take risks with your life and the lives of others around you. On a short drive to school, speeding doesn’t really save much time at all (and it doesn’t save any time if you cause an accident), and you can likely find a way to leave earlier if you are repeatedly running behind schedule.
Brian D. Guralnick Injury Lawyers | Experienced Representation for Palm Beach County Accidents
At Brian D. Guralnick Injury Lawyers, we are passionate protecting the safety of others in our community. We encourage everyone to drive safely during the 2017-2018 school year, and we encourage you to for help if you get injured in an accident. For more information, please call 561-202-6673 to schedule a free consultation at one of our four convenient office locations.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is not intended, and must not be taken, as legal advice on any particular set of facts or circumstances. If you need advice on specific legal issues, please consult with a licensed Personal Injury attorney.
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