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As the school bell rings and class comes back into session, get ready for the return of school busses, young pedestrians and bicyclists.
Remember to allow a larger following distance if you are driving behind a school bus. That will give you enough time to slow down if the bus is making frequent stops. Never pass a bus from either side if it is stopped with its lights flashing and stop sign extended.
Flashing school zone signs are your signal to slow down and look closely for pedestrians. Stop and yield to pedestrians or crossing guards crossing the road. Never block a crosswalk when stopped at an intersection, as it can force pedestrians to go around you and into the path of traffic. Remember that children can make unpredictable choices and take risks when crossing the road.
Students on bikes are also a common sight in school zones. As always, pass bicyclists slowly and leave three feet between your vehicle and the cyclist. Be aware that young bicyclists may turn into your path without signaling or looking. Drivers turning left in front of cyclists is a common cause of crashes.
Parents or guardians can remind their students to walk on sidewalks when possible, look both ways before crossing the street, and avoid playing, pushing, shoving and using phones around traffic. If biking, make sure they have a properly fitted helmet. Remind them to follow traffic signs and signals and use bike lanes where possible.
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