Back-To-School 2021 Driving Safely Around School Zones
Photo by Tim Samuel from Pexels (Back To The Office: Preparing Your Car For The Daily Commute)
It’s been a long time coming, and now students are finally returning to schools to pursue their education. But, unfortunately, for us adults, that means we are also returning to the habit of driving our kids to and from school each day. So let’s take a quick refresher of safe driving tips when in school zones to prepare for that.
When driving in or through school zones, be sure to follow all road signs and rules that apply to that area, such as speed limits and other road markings. Drive slowly, especially when moving around school busses with dozens of students entering or exiting at any given time. Avoid all kinds of distractions while driving, and never stop at a pedestrian crossing.
In this guide, we’ll go through a few crucial reminders to keep in mind when sending or picking up your kids from school. Of course, these tips are also helpful for any drivers passing by school areas on their way to their destination.
Kids Are Going Back To School
For quite some time now, Malaysian school students have been pursuing their education online. However, the various Movement Control Orders (MCOs) and safety concerns have changed the education landscape in favour of distance learning through apps like Zoom and Skype, just to name a few.
Now, things are gradually changing back to the way that they used to be. Schools and daycare centres have begun reopening and welcoming children back into their classrooms, making face-to-face learning a reality again.
Still, kids aren’t the only ones affected by this return to normal. Parents and guardians will also be driving those kids to and from their schools each day.
School zones are set to be packed with cars once more. So, now would be a perfect time to remind ourselves of how to drive safer in these areas and keep kids safe at all times.
5 Ways To Drive Safer In School Zones
Here are some tips to keep in mind when driving through school zones:
Follow Road Signs And Rules
School zones will have road signs all around reminding you of the rules that you should follow. For example, the speed limit tends to be a lot lower around these areas, and there are also reminders to look out for pedestrians crossing the road.
Besides those road signs, also be aware of the markings on the road. For instance, roads in front of schools tend to have double lines to remind you not to overtake. That’s a fundamental rule to follow, as it reduces the danger to pedestrians on that road.
Another crucial rule to remember is not to make u-turns in a school zone. Unfortunately, many impatient drivers prefer making u-turns while in the school zone instead of making a safer turn elsewhere. However, doing so is very risky as it could cause a collision with other vehicles, or worse, with pedestrians.
Be Cautious Around School Busses
School zones are jam-packed during drop-off and pickup hours. The roads are crowded with parents’ cars and with school busses that transport dozens of students in one go.
One of the first things to remember is that you must be extra cautious around school busses, especially when they’ve come to a stop. A stopped school bus usually means that kids are either getting off or getting on, and there will be plenty of movement all around the vehicle.
Remember: child pedestrians are a lot shorter than adults, making them difficult to see from the driver’s seat of your car. That’s why you must be extra vigilant around school busses.
Avoid All Distractions
It’s never a good idea to drive with distractions like phones or other mobile devices and anything that might take your eyes off the road. However, that’s especially true when driving through school zones.
Some of the things that we think are normal steal away our attention while driving, such as:
Adjusting the radio or other controls.
Talking too much to other passengers in the car.
Operating a mobile phone, even one that’s mounted on the dashboard.
Eating and drinking while driving.
Handling pets, bags, or any other item in the car.
Suppose you’re in a situation where you must handle objects in the car, like your child’s school bag, for example. If that’s the case, then the best thing to do is stop your car on the side of the road before doing so.
Pay Extra Attention To Blind Spots
Now that you’re avoiding all possible distractions while driving through a school zone, you should be redirecting that attention to your car’s blind spots.
As mentioned earlier, child pedestrians around school zones are smaller than adult pedestrians. That’s why you must pay extra attention to your blind spots, especially when turning or reversing. Doing so will prevent any unwanted incidents as you drive through school zones, whether or not you’re dropping a child off for school.
A few practical ways to deal with your vehicle’s blind spots are:
First, ensure that your mirrors are adjusted correctly so you can maximise visibility all around your vehicle.
Always use your indicators when making a turn or merging with another lane. Remember: those indicators aren’t just for the benefit of other drivers. Pedestrians will also see them and understand how you’re about to move your vehicle.
Don’t just rely on mirrors. Instead, turn your body physically to check over your shoulder when making turns or reversing, as looking with your own two eyes offers much more clarity.
Keep Clear Of Pedestrian Crossings
Last but not least, respect the pedestrian crossings in the school zone. Those crossings protect students and other pedestrians who need to cross the road to go to and from the school.
With that in mind, firstly, you should bring your car to a complete stop when arriving at a pedestrian crossing. Then, give all pedestrians time to reach the other side of the road where it’s safe before continuing to drive past.
Besides that, it’s also crucial to avoid parking or stopping on those pedestrian crossings. When your vehicle obstructs that crossing, pedestrians will be forced to walk around your vehicle, thereby increasing their safety risk.