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by admin, July 29, 2022, Tips

School Season is Here and It’s Time for Sharing the Roadways – Here are some Safety Tips

Back to school is on its way and it’s time to slow down and take precautions for school zones, kids waiting for the bus, school crossings, and watching for kids if you’re picking them up in your own vehicle as a car rider. The rules of the road always apply.

When dropping off:

Ask your school for school procedures if you don’t know them already. It’s important to know when and where to pick up your child, as well as not obstructing school bus zones.

• Don’t double park blocking 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

Watch for Younger Children

According to the National Safety Council, most children ages 4-7 that are involved with a bus-related accident which is usually while they are walking. Don’t make any illegal turns, etc and be extra cautious in these school zones and in your neighborhood. Especially in the morning at pick up and in the late afternoon for drop off after school.

• Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn
• In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians
• Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign
• Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas
• Don’t honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian(s)
• Always use extreme caution looking out for pedestrians on all sides of the road

School Bus Rules of the Road

A school bus has many rules when you’re sharing the road with them. It is a must that you understand and learn what those are. If you break them you could injure, kill, or end up paying a hefty fine for doing it. We’re sometimes in a hurry and taking the change is not worth getting there a few minutes earlier.

• Never pass a bus from behind from either and if it is stopped to load or unload children.
• Before the STOP sign is extended you will see yellow or red lights are flashing then following that is the STOP arm that is extended warning traffic to 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 running into streets sometimes or not paying attention to their surroundings.

Watch for Bicyclists

Bicyclists have the some of the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of a vehicle when it comes to school zone rules and bus routes, as well as the ride in between. Bikes can be hard to see and end up in a blind spot making it impossible to see them. Children sometimes ride bikes to school and extra caution has to be taken to watch for them.

• Proceed in the same direction slowly when passing a bicyclist and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist
• If turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction wait for the rider to pass
• If you’re turning right and a bicyclist is approaching from behind on the right let the rider go through the intersection first – always use your turn signals
• Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling because children have a good tendency to do this
• Be extra careful and drive slowly in school zones and residential neighborhoods
• Watch for bikes quickly appearing from driveways or behind parked cars
• Check your mirrors before opening your door so you do not hit a bicyclist

These are rules that should always apply to the roads all year long…watching for kids, bicyclists, other vehicles, etc. But when school season is in it’s a good practice to take extra caution with excited back to school kids waiting for the bus, as well as busy roadways with bus routes, and extra bicyclists.

 

Looking for a Reputable Automotive Collision Repair Shop in Southampton, PA after an Accident? Be safe on the road during school season.

Tri-County Collision Center is an ASE / I-CAR® GOLD certified auto body shop located in Southampton, PA. Call one of our technicians today to learn more about our collision repair and auto painting services. We are OEM certified collision repair facility for INFINITI, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Acura, Honda, GM, Chrysler, Ford, Dodge and Jeep.

Tri-County Collision Center is conveniently located near the PA turnpike, route 95 and Street Road, County Line Road and Second Street Pike at 995 Jaymor Road, Southampton, PA  18966. Give us a call at 215.322.5350 or just stop in if you’re in need of auto collision services.

Tri-County Collision Center’s shop hours are Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, and Saturday by appointment. We would be happy to supply you with an auto repair quote online or over the phone and we always welcome comments and suggestions.

Need a tow or a rental car due an auto collision accident? No worries, Tri-County Collision Center also provides services for tow, rental car, and insurance claims assistance. You are in good hands with a trusted collision shop in Southampton, PA.

Tri-County Collision Center’s shop hours are Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, and Saturday by appointment. We would be happy to supply you with an auto repair quote online or over the phone and we always welcome comments and suggestions.

Need a tow or a rental car due an auto collision accident? No worries, Tri-County Collision Center also provides services for tow, rental car, and insurance claims assistance. You are in good hands with a trusted collision shop in Southampton, PA.