We are about to enter a new school year. We, at JEWELL RADIMISIS JORGE LL.P, are excited to share some tips on child and pedestrian safety to help you safely tackle the new school year.
Specifically, we will provide tips on four different methods of travel that your children will likely use during their school year: walking, cycling, the school bus, and automobile.
Pedestrian Safety Tips
Child safety is a two-way street: pedestrians share as much of a role in it as drivers. Pedestrians should strive to maintain habits that ensure their safety while walking. To that end, here are some helpful tips:
- Take notice of traffic and weather conditions on your route.
- Practice your route to and from school before the school year starts.
- Along your route, take notice of any traffic signs, crosswalks, and stop signs.
- If you have a cell phone, ensure it is charged before your trip, and ensure that emergency contacts are saved and clearly labeled.
- Store your electronics in a safe place while walking.
- Ensure that you limit your electronic usage while walking to prevent distractions.
- Ensure that you do not walk with earphones in both ears. Being alert, always, is imperative to your safety.
- Walk with a friend, classmate, or family member to and from school.
Cycling Safety Tips
Some children choose to bike to school. This can be carried out in a safer manner by being mindful of the following:
- If you must bike on the sidewalk, where permitted, be mindful of pedestrians and courteously share space with them.
- Be aware of and comply with local laws concerning cycling and the shared use of sidewalks and roadways.
- Regularly maintain your bicycle.
- Always wear a helmet.
- Wear bright / high-visibility clothing.
- Watch for weather conditions, and dress appropriately.
- Practice the school route before school.
- Review the storing options available at the school and ensure your child knows where to store their bike before the school year starts.
School Bus Safety Tips
If there is a choice between driving your children and having them ride a school bus, it is best practice to have them ride the school bus. According to Transportation Canada, students are approximately 80 times more likely to get to school safer in a school bus. Here are some safety tips for children riding the school bus:
- Walk along the side of the bus or in front of the bus.
- Maintain eye contact with the bus driver.
- Check both sides of the street for traffic before crossing.
- When getting off the bus, walk along the road where your parent or guardian is located.
- If the school bus has a seatbelt, put on your seatbelt.
Automobile Safety Tips
As a driver of a motor vehicle, you can ensure the safety of children and pedestrians by participating in the following behaviours:
- Drive slowly in school zones and residential areas.
- Wait for pedestrians to completely cross the road onto the sidewalk before maneuvering your vehicle.
- Take notice of school buses when the amber lights begin flashing. Flashing amber lights on a school bus indicates that the school bus is about to stop for children. Drivers must stop when the stop-arm of a school bus becomes activated. Only proceed when the stop arm fully closes.
- Wait at any pick-up and/or drop-off spot until children and pedestrians clear the roadway or crosswalk before proceeding.
- Consider a carpool arrangement to reduce the number of cars at any pick-up and/or drop-off spots.
- Watch for children that may rapidly and/or unexpectedly enter the roadway.
Overall, always be mindful of safety concerns, aware of your surroundings, and vigilant in implementing safety procedures.
If you have been involved in an incident causing you injury, it's always best to consult a professional lawyer who has experience arguing these types of claims to protect your interests. Please contact our team at JEWELL RADIMISIS JORGE LL.P for a free initial consultation at 1 (855) 546-2525.