With the pandemic still on everyone’s mind, school has started back up and most children are attending in-person classes. Extra care needs to be taken by motorists now sharing the roads with school buses, children walking or on bicycles, and even lots of new teen drivers taking their first car trip to school.

Drivers need to be vigilant because school children can be very unpredictable. They’re easily distracted and can often run into traffic or out from behind parked cars. Looking out for children, rather than expecting them to look out for vehicles, is the best defense for drivers.

Despite less traffic due to the pandemic, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), there were still 400 vehicle crashes in school zones in 2020, resulting in 11 serious injuries. The most common causes for these crashes were entirely preventable: failure to control speed, driver inattention, and failure to yield the right of way at a stop sign or private drive.

Whether it is a child just starting kindergarten, or a teen taking that first trip to school in his or her own car, parents can play an important role in keeping their children safe. For young children, make sure they know the rules about school bus safety when it comes to boarding and getting off the bus. If transporting children to school, remember that children under 13 should always ride in the back seat in a car seat (including a booster), or seat belt, depending on whether they fit properly in the seat belt.

Teen drivers and their parents should be aware of the Texas Graduated Driver License Law and the restrictions it puts in place, including no cell phone use and no more than one passenger under 21 in the vehicle unless the passenger is related to the driver. And most importantly, always stress buckling up on every trip — even on those short trips to and from school!

Courtney Parrott, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agent in Brown County, reminds drivers to follow these safety tips from TxDOT to avoid needless tragedies.

Tips for Children Walking or Biking to School

• Always walk on sidewalks whenever they’re available.
• Cross the street at intersections or marked crosswalks. Look left, right, and left again before proceeding.
• Always obey crossing guards.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street. Never assume a driver sees you.
• Look for traffic when stepping off a bus or from behind parked cars.
• Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
• Don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road.
• Follow all traffic rules, signs, and signals.

Tips for Driving in School Zones

• Stay alert and put your phone away. Using a handheld electronic device while driving in an active school zone is against the law.
• Always obey school zone speed limit signs. Remember: Traffic fines usually double in school zones.
• Drop off and pick up your children in your school’s designated areas, not the middle of the street.
• Keep an eye on children gathered at bus stops.
• Watch for children who might dart across the street or between vehicles.

Tips for Drivers Sharing the Road with School Buses

• Never tailgate. Follow at a safe distance, keeping in mind that school buses make frequent stops.
• Stop for flashing red lights or a stop sign on a school bus, regardless of which direction you’re headed. Continue your trip once the bus has moved, the flashing lights stop flashing, or the bus driver signals it’s OK to pass.
• Violations can lead to a fine up to $1,250 for a first offense.

Motorists can make a big difference by remembering to drive with extra caution when driving in and around school zones. Driving at slower speeds and paying extra attention may very well save a life!

Visit: https://www.txdot.gov/driver/safety/school-bus-safety.html for more information on back to school driving safety.