As the new school year approaches, parents have many tasks to complete. The list seems endless, from buying supplies and clothes to attending orientation meetings.
Ensuring your child’s safety while traveling to and from school should be a top priority. Whether your child takes the bus, carpools, bikes or walks, here are essential tips to keep them safe:
Taking the school bus
- Remind your child to wait for the bus to stop completely before approaching it from the curb.
- Ensure your child boards and exits the bus at safe locations.
- Teach your child to cross the street only after looking both ways and ensuring no traffic is coming.
- If the bus has seat belts, make sure your child uses them at all times.
- Check the school’s policy on food consumption on the bus to avoid allergy risks and pest problems.
- If your child has a chronic condition, work with the school nurse to create a bus emergency plan.
Driving and carpooling
- All passengers should wear a seat belt or use an appropriate car or booster seat.
- Children younger than 13 should always ride in the rear seat.
- Teach your teen driver to always wear a seat belt and limit distractions, such as using mobile devices.
- Familiarize yourself with Illinois’ and Indiana’s graduated driver’s programs and consider using a parent-teen driver agreement.
Biking
- Practice the bike route to school with your child before the first day.
- Ensure your child always wears a bicycle helmet.
- Teach them to ride on the right, follow traffic signals and use hand signals.
- Encourage wearing bright-colored clothing for visibility.
Walking
- Choose a safe route with well-trained adult crossing guards.
- Practice safe street crossing with your child.
- Assess whether they are mature enough to walk without adult supervision, usually around ages 9 to 11.
- Consider organizing a “walking school bus” with other parents.
- Ensure your child wears bright-colored clothing or reflective gear.
Following these tips can help ensure your child’s safety no matter how they travel to and from school.
Reducing back-to-school travel risks
The start of the school year often sees an increase in car and pedestrian accidents. Distracted and other negligent drivers pose significant risks, especially during busy school hours. More traffic on the roads, coupled with children who may not always follow safety rules, creates a dangerous mix.
When accidents occur, seeking knowledgeable legal advice can help hold the responsible parties accountable. Experienced personal injury attorneys can guide you through the process, ensuring that justice is served and that such incidents are minimized in the future.