Driving and Back-To-School Safety

Posted On Tuesday September 03, 2019

Drivers have a very important role to play in back-to-school safety

It is not always easy to predict a child’s behaviour. Using defensive driving skills like driving at an appropriate speed and being prepared to stop is crucial to keeping our kids safe around roadways.

Driving tips to keep in mind

  • Pay attention. Using your cell phone, finding a radio station, self-grooming, eating while driving. These are all distractions that may lead to a collision. Expect the unexpected! Through patience and constant attention to our surroundings we can do our part in making sure children arrive to school safe and sound.
  • School zones. Never overtake other vehicles within a school zone or within a half block of any crosswalk. Avoid U-turns and three-point turns in school zones. Children can have a difficult time predicting these types of vehicle manoeuvers.
  • Reduce your speed. Be extra attentive and drive slower through residential areas. Remember, in Ontario, the speed limit in school zones is generally 40 km/hr.
  • Obey crossing guards. Where a school-crossing guard displays a red and white stop sign, you must stop before reaching the crossing and remain stopped until all people, including the school crossing guard, have cleared the entire roadway and it is safe to proceed.
  • Stop for school buses. You must stop whenever you approach a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm.
    • In most cases, traffic in both directions must stop for school buses, regardless of whether you are behind the bus or approaching it from the front.
    • When approaching the bus from the front, stop at a safe distance for children to get off the bus and cross the road in front of you.
    • If you are coming from behind the bus, stop at least 20 metres away. Do not continue on until the flashing lights stop.
  • Give cyclists a wide berth. Remember you must leave a minimum clearance of one metre between your vehicle and the bicycle.
  • If you observe reckless driving or suspect a driver is impaired, pull over as soon as it is safe to do so and report the incident to police by calling 911.

Safety Tips to share with your children

  1. Get to the bus stop early
  2. Stay on the sidewalk
  3. Cross the street only at a corner or designated crosswalk
  4. Take steps back from the road when the school bus approaches the bus stop
  5. Take a seat as quickly as possible and put belongings under the seat
  6. Wait until the school bus comes to a complete stop before getting off
  7. Use the handrail when getting off the school bus
  8. Stay away from the three danger zones - the front, sides and back of the bus
  9. Always cross in front of a stopped school bus, but only after establishing eye contact with the driver
  10. Never attempt to retrieve a dropped item without the driver’s permission

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada

With the start of school, roadways are more congested with school buses, pedestrians, bicycles and other vehicles. Patience as we travel to and from our daily commute will go a long way towards ensuring everyone stays safe this school season.