At Doug Yates Towing & Recovery, we provide safe driving tips to avoid future accidents on the road. Whether your car is rendered inoperable due to a crash, mechanical failure, or any other problem, our team of professionals will be there to provide you with the help you need during your time of need. You can find us by searching for “a towing company near me”!
Safe Driving Tips
As the school year begins, it’s a good time to consider your driving habits. The first day of school is often busy for local roads and highways as students head to school and parents drop them off. While most drivers are conscientious about safety, some are distracted by their phones or other passengers. As a result, there are more accidents in August and September than in any other month.
Make sure that you have enough sleep the night before heading out the door so that you’re alert and aware of everything happening on the road. Letting someone else do the driving, if possible, can be helpful too — especially if they know the route better than you do. Don’t drink alcohol or use drugs while driving because they can decrease reaction time and lead to an accident.
Driving Around School Buses
The law requires drivers to stop for school buses when the flashing red lights are on, and the stop arm is extended. Drivers must remain stopped until the bus stops moving or until the flashing lights have turned off and the stop arm is retracted. It should be noted that a driver may proceed once the bus starts moving but only after it has come to a complete stop.
Buses Flashing Lights
Don’t pass a stopped school bus when its red lights are flashing and stop arm is extended. This is against the law in most states and can result in a citation and fine if caught doing so. Newer school buses are even equipped with cameras and fines can be given by law enforcement.
Slow down when you come up behind a school bus with its yellow flashing lights activated. This indicates that it’s about to stop for someone crossing the road or getting on or off the bus. A driver coming up from behind needs room to stop safely, so give them plenty of space until it’s clear for you to pass safely.
Pedestrian Safety Strategies
Be aware of pedestrians walking to or from school when driving near schools and sidewalks. When crossing streets or intersections, these students should be given extra space and time. If you see a child waiting at an intersection, try not to pass in front of them if possible. Also, watch out for children riding bikes to a school who may not always use marked bike lanes or paths when going to school.
Know Where School Zones Are
If you’re driving near a school, you should be familiar with the speed limit and know where the school zone is located. The reduced speed limit is not just to make it easier for children to cross the street safely — it also helps protect pedestrians who have to cross streets at other intersections when walking home from school.
Reroute Your Commute To Avoid School Zones
If you must drive near a school, look for alternative routes to avoid them. If this isn’t possible, try to plan your commute so that you don’t have to travel through these areas during rush hour traffic. In some cases, you may be able to work from home if your employer will allow it or consider telecommuting once or twice per week if possible.
Slow Down and Pay Attention
You may have a lot of other things on your mind, but driving to school is not one of them. You should slow down and pay extra attention near schools because this is where children can be found. And it’s not just where children are present; you also need to watch for any potential hazards or distractions that could endanger students. Children may dart out into the street without looking both ways, or they could be distracted by an electronic device or a conversation with friends.
Respect Crossing Guards
Crossing guards are there to help keep children safe while they cross the road. Respect their authority by obeying all traffic signals, signs, and instructions given by them. This will allow crossing guards to do their jobs effectively and ensure no accidents occur during school hours.
Watch For Kids Riding Bikes To School
School buses can’t take every child back home after school, so many children ride bikes on their own during peak traffic hours. Drivers must give them plenty of space when passing so that no accidents occur due to collisions between bikes, cars, or trucks.
Drive Safely
It’s a good idea to be aware of the safe driving tips above. Prepare yourself for school by learning how to be safe on the road. This will help you avoid accidents and problems with law enforcement officers, insurance companies, and your budget. Your decisions matter when it comes to your family’s safety, so learn all you can about being a safe driver this year. Doug Yates Towing & Recovery is here to help if you need assistance on the road.
