As the new school year begins this month, prioritizing road safety is crucial. Here are essential tips to ensure a safe journey for children:
For Parents Driving Their Children to School:
- Observe school zone speed limits and adhere to pickup/drop-off procedures. Watch out for pedestrians.
- Obey extended stop signs on buses, and do not proceed until the sign is retracted.
- Be cautious of bicyclists when opening your door while parallel parked.
- Regularly check vehicle maintenance, including brakes, lights, and tires.
- Ensure your child exits the vehicle on the curb side, away from traffic.
For Children Taking the Bus:
- Instruct your child to wait until the bus is fully stopped before approaching it.
- Teach your child to stand at least six feet away from the road.
- Remind your child to check for passing vehicles when exiting the bus.
For Children Walking or Biking to School:
- Encourage wearing bright clothing for visibility during early morning rides.
- Review the route to school with your child multiple times.
- Teach your child to use crosswalks and pedestrian signals.
- Provide necessary equipment such as a bike helmet, umbrella, jacket, sunscreen, and a water bottle.
- Establish good habits: look left and right at intersections, make eye contact with drivers before crossing, and obey all traffic signals and signs.
For more information on road safety and sharing the road in North Texas, visit lookouttexans.org.
