School safety: Avoiding accidents at school drop-off and pick-up areas

As we gear up for another school year, excitement and new routines can make safety an afterthought for many families. 

But traffic accidents tend to spike in back-to-school season, when everyone’s adjusting to different schedules. 

Below are some simple steps you can take to avoid accidents.

Drive carefully around schools

• Slow down in school zones.Those flashing lights aren’t suggestions. Reduced speeds give you time to react if a child steps into the road unexpectedly.

• Never pass a stopped school bus with flashing red lights. It’s a warning sign that kids may be crossing the street.

• Watch out for kids at bus stops. Try to anticipate erratic behavior if they’re excited, distracted or running late.

Help your kids

develop street smarts

• Practice safe crossing. Show little ones how to use crosswalks, look both ways and wait for walk signals. Young children should always have an adult with them.

• Put devices away. Phones and headphones prevent kids from hearing cars, horns or other important sounds.

• Be visible. Bright or reflective clothes help drivers see kids walking or biking, especially in low light.

Talk to teen drivers

If you have a teenager with a driver’s license, back-to-school season is a good time to review safe habits.

• Set passenger limits. Each additional teen passenger increases the risk of an accident.

• Model good behavior. Teens copy what they see, so follow traffic laws and avoid using your own phone while driving.

• Practice under new conditions. If your teen learned to drive in the summer, they may need help adjusting to fall weather and busier traffic.

Make it routine

• Most back-to-school accidents are preventable. A few minutes of preparation can help everyone’s school year get off to a healthy start.

For a comprehensive overview of back-to-school safety, including healthy sleep routines and food choices, visit healthychildren.org.