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Back To School Safety Tips

By September 2, 2016September 20th, 2019No Comments

Summer is unofficially over and it’s time to take the kids back to school. With the new school season upon us, we wanted to take this time to deliver tips on how you can be safer this season:

Sharing The Road With School Buses: If you’re driving behind a school bus, be sure to allow the proper distance in front of you. It will give you more time to react if and when an incident occurs. In all 50 states, it is illegal to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. Here are a few other tips:

  • Never pass a bus from behind
  • Stay 10 feet behind a bus
  • Be alert when you see a bus stopped. It’s unpredictable to know when and where a child may turn the corner


New Riders on The Road: 
Some teens had birthdays this summer, which means that there are new riders on the road that weren’t riders last school season. Here are a few things to keep in mind that will not only help you but also teach new riders good habits:

  •  Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light
  •  In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop, and yield to pedestrians
  •  Always stop for school officials or crossing guards
  •  Be careful near school zones, playgrounds, parks, or other residential areas
  •  Don’t go around or pass vehicles. Be patient.
  •  Drive at a reasonable speed. This isn’t a race.


Dropping Off Your Child: 
Schools often have dedicated “drop zones” and procedures for the school year. Make sure you read up on them for not only the safety of your child but also others. Here are a few additional suggestions:

  • Don’t double park
  • Don’t load or unload children outside of the “drop zone”


Come To A Complete Stop:
 It’s easy to just breeze through a stop sign, but that doesn’t mean you should. Be sure to make a complete stop at your stop sign. Take a look around for any child, parent, teacher, or aid and continue on your way.


Respect Pedestrian Crossing Zones: 
This is one of the most important tips for you and your family this school year. In some cities, pedestrian crosswalks can be defined as yellow lines across the road and yellow signs on the sidewalk. Either way, make sure you come to a complete stop and respect the pedestrians crossing the road. It may be easy to stroll through the crossing zone because you’re late to school, but be safe and be sure to come to a complete stop when you notice a pedestrian trying to cross.


Talk To Your Child:
 Before you send your child to school, be sure to have a conversation with them and go over the rules and regulations of the school, along with your household rules. Resetting expectations and giving your child proper notice will allow you and your family confidence that your child understands what to expect this school year. Safety shouldn’t be taken lightly. Encourage your child to get involved in your schools safety programs and reward them accordingly if consistent safe behavior is achieved.

From all of us here at Del Duke Insurance Group, we wish you another happy and safe school year.