Every fall, school buses return to their routes, crosswalks fill with kids, and traffic around schools picks up significantly. School zones are among the highest-risk areas for drivers, with crashes occurring three times as frequently during pick-up and drop-off hours compared to other times of day. If you drive for work, that means more hazards along your route and a greater responsibility to slow down and pay attention. Here is what you need to know.

Back-to-School Driving Hazards

Be aware of these common hazards during the school year:

• Increased traffic around schools, neighborhoods, and school zones.
• Children who may suddenly enter the roadway without looking.
• School buses making frequent stops to load and unload students.
• Crossing guards directing traffic and pedestrians.
• Teen drivers with limited driving experience.
• Parents dropping off or picking up students in crowded areas.
• Bicyclists, scooters and students walking near roads and intersections.
• Changing traffic patterns due to school arrival and dismissal times. 

Safety Tips

• Slow down in school zones. Always obey posted speed limits and be prepared to reduce your speed even further if children are present. Fines for speeding in school zones are often higher than standard penalties.
• Give school buses extra space. Never pass a stopped school bus with red lights flashing and a stop arm extended. Maintain a safe following distance so you have time to react to sudden stops and expect children to be crossing in front of or behind the bus.
• Watch for children everywhere. Continuously scan sidewalks, intersections, parking lots and driveways. Children can be unpredictable and may dart into traffic without warning, especially before and after school hours.
• Eliminate distractions. Put your phone away and program your GPS before you start driving. Avoid eating, adjusting vehicle controls or anything that pulls your attention from the road, especially in school zones.
• Plan your route and schedule. Allow extra travel time during morning and afternoon school traffic periods and consider alternate routes when possible. Never speed to make up lost time, and notify your supervisor if delays will affect your schedule.

Defensive Driving: Good Habits for Back-to-School and Every Season

Back-to-school season brings unpredictable driving conditions. Remember to always follow defensive driving techniques. Increase your following distance, use your turn signals early and check your mirrors frequently. Expect sudden stops and unexpected movements from other drivers. Children are unpredictable, situations change quickly and the consequences of a lapse in attention in a school zone are severe. Stay patient, slow down before you reach a school zone and give others more room than you think you need.