A Few Back-To-School Safety Tips
As the summer months come to an end, parents should start preparing themselves to send their children back to school. Besides buying school supplies and meeting the new teacher, this could also require taking steps to help prevent car and pedestrian accidents in the coming months. Whether your child walks to school, takes the bus, or is driven in a carpool, it is important to keep these safety tips in mind.
Pay Attention in School Zones
Many people aren’t aware of how dangerous back-to-school time is for children, an alarming number of whom are struck on the way to and from school every year. To help prevent these kinds of accidents, parents and guardians are encouraged to stay focused when driving in a school zone and to always obey the speed limit. It’s important to pay special attention to anyone on sidewalks or crossing the street, as children can be unpredictable and may unexpectedly dart out into the road at any time.
Teach Children Basic Safety Rules
Many children have to walk, take the school bus, carpool with their friends or neighbors, or ride their bikes to school. To reduce their chances of being involved in an accident, parents should be sure teach these children some basic safety rules, such as:
- Using marked crosswalks when available and looking both directions before crossing;
- Properly wearing a helmet if riding a bike;
- Avoiding horseplay or roughhousing when walking near traffic;
- Refraining from using one’s phone while walking or riding;
- Staying on the sidewalk at all times unless there isn’t one, in which case the child should be directed to walk facing traffic;
- Riding with the flow of traffic;
- Waiting until a vehicle is fully stopped at the curb before opening the door to get out;
- Knowing who to call in the event of an emergency.
While teaching a child these rules won’t guarantee that he or she won’t be involved in an accident, it can go a long way towards keeping them safe.
Instruct Children on how to Properly Carry Supplies, Books, and Backpacks
When getting their children ready for school, parents will also want to make sure that their backpacks aren’t too heavy and that they are worn in such a way that both straps distribute the weight evenly. Rolling backpacks can help prevent injuries, but can also act as a tripping hazard for others, so it’s important to teach children how to properly use and store them, especially on the bus.
Call Our Office Today to Speak with a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer
If, despite your best efforts, you or your child were involved in a car accident on the way to or from school, you could be entitled to compensation. An experienced car accident lawyer on your side can help reduce the stress of attempting to claim compensation while you focus on recovery. To schedule a free consultation with one of the dedicated Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers at Boone & Davis, call 954-566-9919 today.
Sources:
nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/school-safety/back-to-school-safety-tips-for-drivers?
newjersey.news12.com/tips-for-children-walking-or-bicycling-to-school
