The school year is in full swing. Staying alert is important for pedestrians and drivers to keep children safe.
New data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that 104 people died in crashes related to school transportation in 2022. More than 1,000 died from 2013-2022, and 198 of those individuals were children age 18 and younger. 40% of the children were occupants of other vehicles, 38% were pedestrians, 18% were occupants of school transportation vehicles, 3% were bicyclists, and 1% were using personal devices like scooters or wheelchairs.
Drivers should be on the lookout for children. Follow all traffic laws, including speed limits in school zones and yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks. Do not pass school buses when their stop arms are extended and lights are flashing.
School Bus Safety Reminders
Slow down and prepare to stop when a school bus’s yellow lights are flashing. It is illegal to speed up and pass a bus while it’s slowing to a stop with yellow lights flashing or stopped with red lights flashing. Drivers can proceed after the lights have stopped flashing and the bus has started moving again. Always be alert for children who may be crossing unexpectedly.
Teach children to arrive at their bus stop at least five minutes before the bus arrives. Stay at least ten feet away from the curb. Always wait for the drive to signal that it’s safe to board after the bus has come to a complete stop. Face forward after finding a seat. Exit the bus after it stops and wait for the driver to signal that it’s safe to cross. Look left-right-left for cars before crossing a street in front of the bus. Never cross behind the bus.
Pedestrian Safety Tips
Drivers should always be alert for pedestrians. Follow the speed limit and exercise extra caution in low visibility conditions.
Teach children to use sidewalks or walk on the edge of the street facing traffic if a sidewalk is not available. Always use marked crosswalks to cross the street and look left-right-left before crossing. Never play, shove, or push others around traffic. Put mobile devices away and stay focused when walking.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
