Reminder to Watch for Children Returning to School This Week
As the holiday break for most school districts comes to a close, thousands of students throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area will be returning to school. This means more drivers on the roads and children walking and riding their bicycles to school. The Law Office of Brian Brunson encourages you to keep the following things in mind this time of year.
Pay Attention to Active School Zones
When you notice flashing lights in a school zone, be sure to stop and allow children to cross the street safely at the crosswalk or intersection. It’s crucial to always stop for a school crossing guard who is displaying a stop sign, even if there are no kids visible preparing to cross the road. Schools typically have specific drop-off rules that must be adhered to during the school year. It’s essential to understand these guidelines to guarantee the safety of all students. These regulations apply in every school zone.
Watch Out for Bike Riders
Kids riding bikes can be hard to predict, so it’s important to keep a good distance between your vehicle and them. When you go by a child biking on the sidewalk, try to move a bit more towards the center of the road if it’s safe to do so, and stay watchful for any indication that they might suddenly change direction and come your way. When you see a child riding their bike on the road ahead, it’s really important to be careful if you have to go around them. Little kids often don’t check their surroundings or signal before they make a turn. If possible, the best thing to do is to hang back and wait until they change direction before you pass them. When you’re stopped at a red light or waiting to turn, make sure you don’t block the crosswalk. If you do, kids may have to ride around your vehicle, which could put them in danger of oncoming traffic. It’s also really important to keep an eye out for kids riding their bikes, especially in school zones, near parks, and in neighborhoods.
Give School Buses the Right-of-Way
Research conducted by the National Safety Council indicates that most children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are aged between 4 and 7, and they are typically on foot. It’s vital to never pass a school bus when its stop sign is out, its lights are flashing, or if you see children getting on or off the bus. Children rushing to catch the bus or those disembarking after school frequently dart across the street without checking for oncoming vehicles.
It’s essential to be vigilant for kids who might unexpectedly cross the road, even after the bus lights have turned off. It’s crucial to maintain a distance of at least 10 feet from a school bus that has stopped. This distance is generally the minimum required for the bus driver to see you in their mirrors if they need to reverse the bus. When driving behind a bus, it’s necessary to keep a greater distance between your vehicle and the bus than you would with a regular car. This additional space allows you more time to react and stop when the yellow lights on the bus begin to flash. Also, keep in mind that in every state across the nation, it is illegal to pass a school bus that has halted to pick up or drop off children.
IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD IS INJURED ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL, CONTACT THE LAW OFFICE OF BRIAN BRUNSON TODAY.
Named one of the “Best Car Accident Lawyers in Dallas” by Expertise.com, Brian Brunson is Dallas personal injury attorney who is dedicated to helping clients who have suffered a car, truck, or motorcycle injury through the negligent or wrongful conduct of other drivers. In addition, his professionalism is unmatched and the firms’ client reviews speak for themselves.
We proudly serve the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and surrounding areas, our office supports the legal needs of a wide variety of clients. Let the Law Office of Brian Brunson be your advocate in your time of need and help you put your life back together. If we can’t win or settle your case, you don’t pay a dime! We know it can be daunting to take that first step after you’ve been hurt. Contact Brian Brunson today via email or call us toll-free at 1-844-41-WRECK. We can help, when no one else will.
