August, the time of year to take last-minute vacations, get excited about football season, and prepare for school to start. Here are a few safety tips to remember as you jump back into the world of sack lunches, class bells, and permission slips.
School Zones are for Kids
- Follow the speed limit while in a school zone.
- Follow the direction of crossing guards.
- No matter which direction you are driving, stop for buses and be very cautious of children.
- In a school zone, do not make U-turns, pass other vehicles, or change lanes.
- Watch out for children, especially near schools.
- Use a hands-free device if you need to make any calls.
- Do not text and drive.
- Never park in handicap spaces unless licensed.
Walking to School
- Always look both ways before crossing the street.
- Only cross streets at marked crosswalks.
- Obey traffic signals, signs, and markings.
- Teach proper safety awareness and pick the safest route between the school and your home. Practice walking it with your kids.
- Instruct your children to:
- always walk to school with someone else.
- never accept a ride from someone else, even if they know them, without your permission.
- report any incidents to a teacher immediately.
Teen Driving
- Teen driving statistics are astounding!
- “Half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before their high school graduation.” – NSC.org
- “Car accidents are the number one cause of death for teenagers in the United States – more than than suicide, disease, and homicide combined.” – NSC.org
- Teach your teens the rules of driving. Use the resources below:
http://www.nsc.org/learn/NSC-Initiatives/Pages/Teen-Driving-Resources-and-Tips-for-Parents.aspx
http://www.nsc.org/learn/NSC-Initiatives/Pages/teen-driving-the-problem.aspx
Being proactive about these tips will lead to a safer back-to-school season.
-From your friends at Paul Davis
Recover. Reconstruct. Restore.