Back to School Tips for Students in Tyler, TX

The start of a new school year is an exciting time for students. A new year usually means different teachers and classes, new shoes, and shopping for school supplies. Amid all the excitement for the new year, reminding students about safety is important. The back-to-school season often means more traffic on the roads, more pedestrians, and more accidents. Our helpful team at Mercedes-Benz of Tyler compiled these tips for drivers and students to help everyone stay safe on the roads during the new school season in Tyler, Texas.

Safety When Driving Near Buses

Although riding a bus is the safest way for students to get to school, school bus drivers face more challenges while driving than automobile drivers. Buses are very large, have several blind spots, and require more time to stop than smaller vehicles. School bus drivers also may be distracted by children on the bus.

As a motorist, remember how difficult it might be to drive a school bus full of chattering children. Be considerate to school bus drivers by using extra precautions when driving near buses. Here are some tips on how to drive safely when there are school buses nearby:

• Don’t pass a stopped school bus. It’s illegal in all 50 states to pass a stopped bus with its lights flashing and stop-arm extended.
• Leave a safe space between vehicles when following a bus. When the bus stops, leave plenty of space behind it, and be cautious of children exiting it.
• Don’t change lanes and cut in front of a bus. Even if there’s space to change lanes, avoid cutting into the road in front of a bus.
• Be aware that the bus driver has multiple blind spots and limited visibility in a 10-foot radius around the bus. If you park behind or beside a bus, stay at least 10 feet from the vehicle.

Be Vigilant When Driving in School Zones

When driving in school zones, it’s essential to be aware of laws and increase safety measures. Most school zones are marked with a school crossing street sign or flashing lights. Here are several tips for driving safely in school zones:

• Be aware of school zones and pay close attention to nearby children. Remember that children might behave recklessly, such as running into the street after a ball or crossing a road without checking both ways to see if a car is approaching.
• Note the speed limit in the school zone, which is generally 10 to 20 miles per hour.
• When dropping off children, let them off on the same side of the street as the school. Letting them out of a vehicle across the street from the school can increase the possibility of accidents.
• Follow the crossing guard’s directions. Yield to their instructions because they are there to help children safely get to school.
• Don’t drive too close to buses. Many schools have separate unloading areas for cars and buses. If not, leave ample room behind and in front of buses when you park. The area around a bus is hazardous for children.
• Stay alert. When driving near schools, it’s essential to stay alert. Make sure cell phones and other electronic devices aren’t distracting the driver.

Reminders for Students Riding the Bus to School

Parents can share these tips with children who ride the bus to ensure maximum safety precautions:

• Know where the bus stop is and arrive several minutes before the bus comes. Running for the bus can increase the risk of falls or accidents.
• Inform children that they should stand to wait at the bus stop and that running and playing are inappropriate behaviors at the bus stop.
• Wait until the bus stops completely to get on or off the bus.
• Children should never ride behind a school bus. After getting off the bus, if the child must cross in front, tell them to wait for the bus driver to wave to them or indicate it’s safe to cross. Also, if a child drops something, they must let the bus driver know before they pick it up in case the driver can’t see the child after they bend down to pick up the item.

Tips for Students Walking to School

Walking to school brings hazards related to crossing busy streets. Share these safety tips with students who walk to school:

• Don’t walk to school looking at your phone or other devices. Instead, be aware of your surroundings, vehicles, and other children around you.
• If you come to an intersection without a crossing guard, look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.
• Only cross streets at marked crosswalks, follow traffic signals, and stay within marked crossing lines. Don’t cross in the middle of the street — only at intersections.
• If possible, walk in groups with other children or with an adult to increase safety.
• Don’t speak to strangers if you’re walking alone. Call loudly for help if you feel frightened or unsafe when a stranger approaches.

Safety for Students Cycling to School

An advantage of living in a warm climate is that many schools allow children to ride bicycles to school if they like. Have your child follow these safety guidelines if they bike to school:

• Wear a properly fitted helmet and attach it with the safety straps.
• Wear bright-colored clothing when biking to school and securely fasten clothing and shoelaces.
• Ride on the right side of the road and use hand signals when you turn.
• At intersections, stop and look both ways. Then, walk the bicycle across the intersection, don’t ride it.
• Stay alert for vehicles and hazards such as animals, opening car doors, and other cyclists.

Keep Safety Top of Mind as Students Go Back to School

As the school year begins, drivers and students need to be cautious around cars and buses. Following safety guidelines and increasing awareness can help prevent accidents. Review these suggestions with your child and make sure they understand the importance of these safety precautions. If you have any questions, send us a message and let us know what’s on your mind.

three parked yellow busses by James Day is licensed with Unsplash License