Home Sweet Home

By Angie Monk, Wood County Extension Agent
Posted 8/20/20

Back to school safety tips

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Home Sweet Home

Posted

It’s back to school time in Texas. And back to school time is always a good time for safety reminders. Drivers need to be extra vigilant because school children can be very unpredictable. They are easily distracted and can often run into traffic or out from behind parked cars. Looking out for children, rather than expecting children to look out for vehicles, is what drivers should practice at all times.

Although school buses are generally considered a safe mode of transportation to school, social distancing may reduce the number of children that can ride on buses and increase the number of pedestrians, bike riders and car riders to school each day.  

Whether a child is starting their first day of kindergarten or they’re taking that first trip to school in his or her own car, parents play an important role in keeping their children safe. For young children, make sure they know the rules about school bus safety when it comes to boarding and getting off the bus. 

Teen drivers and their parents should be aware of the Texas Graduated Driver License Law and the restrictions it puts in place, including no cell phone use and no more than one passenger under 21 in the vehicle unless the passenger is related to the driver. And, most importantly, always stress buckling up on every trip – even on those short trips to and from school.

Motorists can help make going back to school a safe and healthy time by slowing down, paying close attention (not distracted by phones and devices) and by remembering these safety tips when driving in and around school zones.

Tips for driving in 

School zones 

• Stay alert and put your phone away. Using a handheld electronic device while driving in an active school zone is against the law.

• Always obey school zone speed limit signs. Remember: Traffic fines usually double in school zones.

• Drop off and pick up your children in your school’s designated areas.

• Keep an eye on children gathered at bus stops.

• Watch for children who might dart across the street or between vehicles.