Back to School and Back to the Commute

Back to School and Back to the Commute

Two school boys running on sidewalk on way to school. Sunny day morning.With kids back in school, you may have noticed that your commute is somewhat different than it was over the summer. More kids are on the sidewalks, more cars are on the streets, and the route that was so peaceful and calm over the summer might be just a bit more hectic than you’re accustomed to.

Traffic safety should always be a top concern, but this is especially true as it relates to the safety of our nation’s children as they make their way to and from school. Now that you are back to the commute, we thought it would be important to look at a few basic traffic safety tips for everyone involved.

Be Aware of the Time

Now that school is back in session, the time of day becomes an extremely important factor when discussing traffic safety. An increase in traffic during the early morning when kids make their way to school and in the early afternoon when schools let out means that not only are you dealing with more cars on the road, but often with traffic that is starting and stopping on a more frequent basis. Therefore, when you are on the road, make note of the time and schedule your day accordingly. If you are overly concerned with the amount of traffic, avoid driving during the busiest times before and after school.

Avoid Busy Areas Near Schools

An increase in traffic can occur pretty much anywhere once schools are in full operation again, but it’s obviously the areas near schools that will be affected most. If your daily route typically includes driving through a school zone, then you should definitely exercise additional caution to ensure the safety of both yourself and the children who are present. You may even want to alter your route to avoid these areas altogether, especially during the times of day noted above. But, don’t let this deter you from following any and all safety precautions. Even if certain areas remain less hectic than others, proper traffic safety is a must.

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Watch Out for Crossing Guards

Crossing guards that you see on the street in the mornings and afternoons are notable for two reasons. First, the presence of a crossing guard indicates an area where children are more likely to be. This will immediately clue you in to the need to be especially cautious as you’re driving in a specific area and to be on the lookout for small pedestrians on the sidewalks and in the crosswalks. Second, a crossing guard’s very obvious goal is to keep children safe from injury. This means that when you spot a crossing guard, you must follow the instructions that he or she gives you, even if it means a delay in your commute.

Making the above changes to your commute will help you get to your destination safely while keeping our country’s children safer, too. Unfortunately, collisions and injuries do happen, and when they do it’s important to know where to turn. If you’ve experienced such an ordeal, reach out to the attorneys at Mintz Law Firm for a free case evaluation.

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