Learning how to drive safely is not only crucial for one’s own safety but also for the safety of others. Besides, it also helps in avoiding legal issues. Even small mistakes while driving can lead to serious outcomes. Safe driving skills become especially important because a lot of children travel to school day-to-day by walking, biking or taking the bus. As school starts and traffic gets busier, drivers must take extra caution to avoid mishaps.
School zones are more prone to accidents, particularly at times of congestion when kids cluster as they enter and leave school. To ensure the security of all, drivers must pay extra attention and caution while passing close to schools. In this blog, we will go over five important tips to drive safely in proximity to schools.
Here are five driving tips to remember when driving near school zones:
1. Pay Attention To School Zone Sign
School zones are clearly marked zones that generally surround schools and playgrounds, and have the purpose to keep kids safe as they walk into and out of the school premises. While driving, it’s significant to remain extremely alert and actively look for markings and signs signifying that you’re in a school zone.
Various road signs, school zone signals, and crosswalk barriers provide indicators to cars, telling them that drivers should slow down and drive with more attentiveness in the region. Keep your eyes out for these signs at all times. They serve as crucial cautions to slow down, give close attention to what’s going on around you, and consider the safety of pedestrians and children.
2. Lower Your Speed in School Zones
Keeping driving speeds low in school zones is important for assuring the security of students and pedestrians. Such zones have been specifically created to enhance the security of students by encouraging drivers to follow lower speed limitations upon entry. Individuals can lower the chance of accidents and injuries by driving slower. As a result, the significance of complying with these defined limits has become more important.
With the goal of improving driver response times while decreasing the possibility of incidents, speed limits within school zones are typically set at 40 km per hour when the original speed limit is less than 80 km per hour, and 60 km per hour when the original speed limit is 80 km per hour or higher. While pedestrians, especially children, have the right of way, drivers must have the skill to predict surprising movements and remain prepared to apply the brakes quickly.
3. Stop For School Buses
It does not matter which state you are driving in, you must pay attention to and obey the rules regarding school buses. In different states, it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus with its stop sign extended and light flashing. These indicators indicate the importance of vigilance when kids are getting on or off the bus.
Unfortunately, drivers breaking the rules are often the main cause of bus-related accidents. As a responsible driver, it is important to know and follow the legal requirements whenever you see a school bus on the road. By doing this, you are contributing to the safety of children along with preventing a serious accident.
4. Expect Extra Congestion in School Zones
When driving near school zones, it’s important to keep in mind that these areas are often congested due to children walking to school and parents dropping off or picking up their kids. This congestion can lead to more stressful situations which can cause drivers to make mistakes.
To avoid this, it’s recommended to schedule extra time when driving through a school zone, at least 15 minutes, and if you need to drop off or pick up your child, expect at least a 20-minute delay. By allowing yourself extra time, you can drive more calmly and safely, and avoid any potential accidents.
5. Pay Attention To Pedestrian Crossings
During the day, school spaces get crowded with a lot of kids, teachers, and even parents. Prepare to come across higher pedestrian traffic when driving through these places, particularly during peak hours. In a school zone, if you find a crosswalk sign, move carefully, regardless of whether you don’t see someone crossing the road at that particular moment. It can be a good habit to form so that you’re ready for those unanticipated crosses.
To facilitate safe walking, avoid slowing down or stopping traffic in the middle of crosswalks. As you reach crosswalks, keep an eye out for light flashing in school zones that alert drivers about the fact that people are walking nearby. You can keep everyone safe and traffic flowing in school zones by staying alert and mindful of your environment.
Conclusion
Being patient, staying alert and obeying the law of the road is important, especially when driving close to school zones. Driving experts can make a significant contribution to protecting the safety of kids, pedestrians, and their own by paying attention to school zone signs, slowing down, stopping for school buses, preparing for extra traffic, and showing caution at pedestrian crossings. In school zones, exercising precaution initially and complying with these instructions can help minimise accidents and save lives. Bear in mind that driving safely must always come first, specifically when there are young children around.
Sprint Driving School is aware of how crucial it is to be able to drive safely, particularly when there are schools nearby and kids are involved. We equip you with all the instructions you need so that you can drive lawfully in these and other locations. Our instructors are exceptional at assuring that you learn everything and are confident driving your car. They will teach you the basics of how to drive safely and how to keep up with the rules around schools. So why wait, join us at Sprint Driving School to gain outstanding driving skills and maintain the safety of everyone on the road.
