School Zone Safety

As a professional driver, a primary function of your daily efforts is to protect the motoring public. Our nations kids are a part of this motoring public and require our attention and support as they learn and grow to someday be the leaders of our country.

Driving in or around school zones requires your complete and undivided attention. Some tips for School Zones include:

• Avoid School Zones whenever possible. Remove the risk and reduce the stress.

• If avoiding the school zone is not possible, increase your awareness and watch for kids walking or crossing the street.

SLOW DOWN – slower speeds will give you more time to stop or avoid kids who may not see you or know what to do.

• Newly licensed drivers around schools must also be a part of your safety awareness. When the newly licensed students are also starting a new school year the combination can be very dangerous.

• Parents dropping off or picking up students may be distracted and pull out without looking. Give them extra space and consideration.

• School buses should also be given extra attention.

o A new school year may mean new bus drivers who are often part time and are readjusting to the size and handling of the bus.

o A bus running slowly may be watching for their next stop or monitoring the kids and not paying attention to their driving environment.

o A slow running bus may also be preparing to stop. Be aware and prepared.

• Watch for kids as they wait for the bus or exit from it. They will be more focused on getting home and may cross the street without warning.

Give school busses traveling on major highways extra space. School busses are often used to transport students to various after school activities and may not be familiar with the traffic conditions and speed of a major highway.

The task of safe driving becomes even more important when kids are involved.

Take your time and do your part to protect our nation’s youth, at all times, but especially as a new school year begins.

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