School is now officially back in full swing in Grand Prairie, meaning that parents, teachers and students alike will be heading out onto the roads of our fair city, ready to kick off the new year right. To help make this new school year safe and fun for everyone, we’ve put together some great back-to-school driving tips from the National Safety Council.
Tip #1 – Watch for pedestrians
One of the most dangerous areas for kids is actually near their schools, where more children are hit by cars than any other area in their neighborhood. Because of this, we highly recommend following the below tips from the NSC:
- Don't double park; it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles
- Don't load or unload children across the street from the school
- Carpool to reduce the number of vehicles at the school
Tip #2 – Watch for buses
Another big tip from the National Safety Council is to always follow the law when it comes to buses. According to the NSC, children between the ages of 4 to 7 years old are at a high risk of being involved in bus-related accidents. To help prevent this the NSC recommends:
- Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you're on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children
- If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop
- The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus
- Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks
Tip #3 – Watch for bicycles
Another type of vehicle that will be on the road more is bicycles. These two-wheel terrors can appear out of no-where, which is why you should always take extra care in watching for them, especially in the mornings and afternoons. The NSC recommends the below when watching out for bicycles:
- When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist
- When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass
- If you're turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals
- Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this
- Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods
- Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars
- Check side mirrors before opening your door
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