Another school year is upon us as parents check off their child’s school supply list, rush out for back to school clothing sales, and say farewell to the long days of summer. We often forget that the most important part of preparing for back to school season is safety. School days, especially in the beginning of the year, bring a lot of congestion to the road with school buses, children on bicycles, and parents dropping off their children at school. The Wilmington car accident lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow wish everyone a smooth transition back to school. The following safety tips can help protect children from potential bus or pedestrian accidents.

According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an average of 18 school-age children are fatally injured in school transportation-related crashes each year. On average, six of those are directly related to bus accidents. The other 12 are pedestrian accidents caused by school transportation vehicles or other vehicles involved in school bus-related crashes.

Tips for Drivers

Whenever you are behind the wheel, be mindful that the road is being shared with young pedestrians. Consider the following safety tips:

• Always stop and yield to pedestrians in a school zone.
• Never pass a vehicle that has stopped for pedestrians.
• If you see a school patrol officer holding up a stop sign, stop and then proceed with caution.
• Never block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light. This is distracting to pedestrians and can put them in the path of a moving car.
• Always stop for school buses that are loading or unloading children.

Safety for Unaccompanied Children

If your child is traveling to school on their own, walk them through the process before the first day back and remind them of the following safety tips:

• If your child is riding the bus to school, explain to them the importance of waiting until the bus has come to a complete stop before approaching or exiting.
• If your child is walking to school, show them the best routes where a crossing guard is present and caution them to only cross the street at an intersection.
• If your child is riding a bike to school, make sure they know to ride in the same direction as traffic and to always wear a helmet.
• Be sure your child knows the best phone number to use in case of emergency.

Wilmington Car Accident Lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow Fight for Maximum Compensation for Injury Victims

Please contact our Wilmington car accident lawyers at Rhoades & Morrow in the event you or your child has been injured on the way to school. The safety and well-being of your child is our main priority and we will not stop working until the responsible parties are held accountable. For a free consultation, call us at 302-427-9500 or contact us online. From our offices in Wilmingon, Bear, and Milford, Delaware, we represent clients throughout the state of Delaware.