It’s the end of August, which means the kids are going back to school here in Bucks County. With school buses, students on bikes and frazzled parents out on the road in the morning and afternoon, things can get a little bit hectic. In turn, it’s important to pay extra attention while behind the wheel. Here are a few helpful tips for keeping yourself and others safe while driving in back to school traffic:
- Share the road with school buses – In order to keep children safe, there are laws that all other vehicles must follow when approaching a school bus. For instance, if the red or yellow lights are flashing on the bus and the stop arm is extended, you must stop. To ensure that the children have enough room to enter or exit the school bus, you should leave at least 10 feet between your vehicle and the bus.
- Pass bicyclists with care – When you encounter a kid riding his/her bike to school, be sure to stay extremely alert. Keep in mind that children tend to make turns without signaling or checking for oncoming cars first. And if you decide to pass a school-aged bicyclist, be sure to put at least three feet of space between your vehicle and the child.
- Exercise caution when driving near schools – Always keep an eye out for children crossing the street when driving near a school. If there is a blinking sign or a crossing guard at an intersection, you are required by law to stop and allow pedestrians to cross. And if a vehicle is stopped for pedestrians, even if they don’t legally have the right of way, never go around them – wait patiently for the people to cross to prevent an accident from occurring.
- Follow school zone driving rules – When driving in school parking lots, obey all posted speed limits. Never double park, as this makes it harder for children and other drivers to see what is ahead. And if you’re dropping off a child, do so as close to the school as possible to limit the distance that he/she will need to walk in the busy parking lot.
By driving with a bit of extra caution and care, you can avoid being in an accident while sharing the road with parents, kids and bus drivers.
We’re Here to Help When Auto Accidents Happen
Even when you pay attention and follow the rules of the road, the reality is that no one is fully immune to accidents. If you are involved in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, it can leave you with a huge financial burden as well as injuries that may affect you for the rest of your life. Fortunately, the Heslin Law Firm is here to serve as your Bucks County auto accident attorney. No matter how minor or severe your auto accident may be, we will use our legal prowess to seek justice for your case.
Interested in a free consultation with the auto accident lawyer Bucks County has relied on for more than 30 years? Call the Heslin Law Firm at (215) 332-0300 or visit us online. And don’t forget – we’re more than just an auto accident attorney in Bucks County. Our practice areas also include workers' compensation, child injury, premise liability and more. We thank you for taking the time to read this post, and we hope you’ve learned something new by doing so!