Summer is Over: Back To School Safe Driving Tips

Summer is Over Kids Are Back To School – Safe Driving Tips

It’s now September and your children are back to school. You may have seen the 2015 movie, Concussion where the film stars Will Smith as Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic pathologist who fights against the National Football League to take the concussion issue more seriously.

Parents trying to keep their children safe from head injuries however need to be concerned with more than contact sports. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a study that found over 20,000 children suffer traumatic brain injuries including concussions on playgrounds every year. Researchers looked at playground injuries to children ages 14 and under who were treated in the emergency room. From ages 5 to 9, most of the injuries were to young boys. Concussions accounted for 10-percent of the injuries. The study found that the rate of concussions was RISING among children.

School Zone Driving Safety Tips

– Be on the lookout for school zone signals and ALWAYS obey the speed limits.
– When entering a school zone, be sure to slow down and obey all traffic laws.
– Always stop for school buses that are loading or unloading children.
– Watch out for school crossing guards and obey their signals.
– Be aware of and watch out for children near schools, bus stops, sidewalks, in the streets, in school parking lots, etc.
– Never pass other vehicles while driving in a school zone.
– Never change lanes while driving in a school zone.
– Never make U-Turns while driving in a school zone.
– Never text while driving in a school zone.
– Avoid using a cell phone, unless it is completely hands-free, while driving in a school zone.
– Unless licensed to do so, never use handicap or emergency vehicle lanes or spaces to drop off or pick up children at school.

School Bus Safety

– Make habit of arriving at the bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled arrival of the bus.
– Make sure your child stays out of the street and avoids excessive horseplay while waiting for the school bus.
– Be sure the bus comes to a complete stop before getting on or off.
– When riding the bus, make sure your child understands they must remain seated and keep their head and arms inside the bus at all times.
– Do not shout or distract the driver.
– Do not walk in the driver’s “blind spot” — this is the area from the front of the bus to about 10 feet in front of the bus.

If your child was injured in an accident and you are in need of a Bronx Accident Lawyer, Kerner Law Group, P.C., located in the Riverdale/Kingsbridge section of the Bronx, will investigate, prosecute and negotiate with the insurance company of the negligent party to settle your claim and obtain compensation for you based upon the severity of your injury and your pain and suffering.  If you would like a legal opinion on the potential value of your personal injury matter or have a question about your rights, contact one of our personal injury lawyers at (718) 796-7900 to schedule a FREE Consultation online so we can evaluate your personal injury case.