The coronavirus has turned our normal routines upside down. Groceries and meals are being delivered in many cases, regular pastimes, such as extended family dinners or block parties, have been put on hold, even many students are now doing back-to-school from their living rooms. 

You might be working from home yourself or if you don’t have young children, you might not realize that some children have returned to their regular classrooms. 

It’s easy to forget that schools might still be in session when everything seems topsy-turvy, but even if children in your school district are being home-schooled, other school districts may be trying in-person classrooms. 

What Does This Mean for You? 

Whether you are commuting, or you are working from home, the fact remains that there could still be school-aged children, walking or on the bus, trying to keep up their normal school habits. 

If you aren’t paying attention, it could be easy to forget about these little ones and become careless about our driving habits. 

We would like to share with you a few tips that can help both drivers and parents of school-aged children avoid accidents and feel safer on the roads. 

Back to School Safety Tips for Drivers 

Whether you have children or not, the following tips can help prevent accidents and keep you from being hit with a substantial fine. 

Tip #1- Slow Down

This just might be the best piece of advice ever and it seems to be the one piece of advice no one wants to take. 

Mornings can be busy, especially if you are trying to get your kids in the car, get them to school on time, then get yourself to work on time. 

Rather than rushing and speeding to make up for lost time, do your best to have things planned and set out the night before. Backpacks should be packed with homework and books, money (if necessary) already in purses or bags, lunches packed and waiting in the refrigerator, even clothes can be picked out and ready to be put on the night before. 

Less stress about getting ready in the morning means you won’t need to speed through school zones or the freeway to make it to work on time. 

Don’t speed, especially through school zones! This is dangerous and can cost you an outrageously expensive ticket, not to mention, the wrath of other parents, bus drivers, and crosswalk guardians. 

Tip #2- Wait for the School Bus

It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that has stopped to load or unload children. Don’t lose your patience and risk hitting a child! 

If you are behind a bus or are approaching a bus and the red or yellow lights are flashing, especially if the stop arm is extended, all traffic on both sides of the road must stop! 

Keep in mind that very young children can be preoccupied with friends or the handling of projects they completed. This means that their behavior can be unpredictable, so try to have some patience while waiting for them to make their way across the street. 

Tip #3- Sharing the Road

In addition to school buses, you might encounter bicycle traffic. While most states demand the same rules of bicycle riders that drivers must obey, this also means that bicycles have the right to the same road that drivers do. Unfortunately, bicycles are much more difficult to see. 

Most bike/car accidents happen when car drivers turn left in front of a bicycle going in the opposite direction. 

Always look for bicycle riders and don’t expect them to behave as a car driver would since most are young children or teens who don’t yet drive. 

Slow down and be on the lookout for bicycles on the road, especially in school zones or residential neighborhoods. 

Don’t forget to check your rearview and side mirror before opening your car door. 

Tip #4- Talk to Your Children About Safety

If you have school-aged children, it is important to talk to them about safety. Don’t assume that the bus driver will always be looking out for your child or that other drivers will even see them as they walk or ride their bike to school. 

Teach your children the following safety tips: 

• Stay 5 steps back from the curb, whether walking or waiting for the bus
• Wait for the bus to stop and the driver gives the OK to board or get off the bus
• Always wear a helmet if riding a bicycle and make sure the strap is secure
• Ride in the bike lanes if there are any and remain there as much as possible
• Never text or look at a cell phone or other electronic device when riding a bike or walking
• Always walk on the sidewalk 
• If there isn’t a sidewalk, face traffic and be alert for cars that might not see you
• Never push, shove, or play with others while walking near busy roads
• Use crosswalks whenever possible
• Continue to look left and right for traffic while crossing streets

Even very small children can be taught these safety tips. 

Tip #5- Other Tips for Drivers

Don’t assume that just because schools in your neighborhood are closed that ALL schools in the county or state are closed. 

Be on the lookout for kids, especially Jr. High and high school kids who might be paying more attention to their phones than where they are going. 

Don’t double park if you are dropping your kids off or picking them up since this block’s other drivers’ visibility and forces others to move around your vehicle. If there is no room for you to park close, park further away and walk to the school. 

Never block a crosswalk since this causes pedestrians to walk in the street to avoid your vehicle. 

Always look twice for bicycles or pedestrians when making turns, even if you have the right of way. 

Don’t forget to get your vehicle serviced and inspected. It can be frustrating to have a broken-down car when the kids are waiting to be picked up. It is also extremely dangerous to drive with extremely worn tires. 

Call the experts at Hong Kong Auto Service and have your vehicle inspected for safety before the really cold weather makes its way to Chicago. We will be happy to talk to you about the condition of your vehicle’s tires, battery, and make sure everything is in good working order. 

Here is wishing everyone a safe and happy back to school season!