Car Accident Lawyers
There are few areas of the road where safety is more important than a school zone. When children are present, utmost care should be taken to drive safely and slowly. Children often move more erratically than adults, and may go into the road unexpectedly. Additionally, children are smaller and harder to see. Here are the top school zone safety tips from a car accident lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT so you can avoid causing any harm.
- Drive slowly – The single most important thing to remember when in a school zone is to drive slowly. If there are any children present, you should never drive any faster than about 5 miles per hour.
- Stay perceptive – You need to constantly be on the lookout for children, especially in intersections and on the side of the road.
- Wait for busses – It is illegal to drive around a stopped school bus. You must wait for it to finish loading and drive off. This is because the bus blocks a large portion of driver’s vision and children often walk out from in front of it.
- Wait for other vehicles – While it is not illegal to drive around other stopped vehicles, it is certainly safer to take the time to wait for stopped vehicles to be on their way.
- Be wary of blind spots – If you cannot see somewhere, always approach it slowly. Children may be behind parked cars or other obstructions to your vision. This is especially important when making turns at an intersection.
- Plan accordingly – If you know you are going to be driving through a school zone, you should leave a little bit earlier to account for possible delays. This way, you will not be in a hurry and make a mistake do to impatience.
- Watch for special crossing areas – It is common for areas to be designated for crossing even if it is not at an intersection. These areas are usually denoted by a sign or flashing lights.
- Be careful when backing up – When your vehicle is moving in reverse, you have a higher risk of not seeing someone. Always check your mirrors carefully.
- Take extra time at stop signs and red lights – Whenever you cross an intersection, you should spend an extra second or two before you start moving. This is when you are in the most danger of hitting someone.
- Be aware of the time and date – There will be more children in school zones in the morning and early afternoon, and during the months when school is in session.
It is the responsibility of every driver to avoid bringing harm to any pedestrians. This is especially important when it comes to school zones.
Thanks to Rasmussen & Miner for their insight into personal injury claims and tips for driving in school zones.