Tips to Keep North Carolina Kids Safe on the Way Back to School

It’s that time of year again. Kids of all ages are headed back to school. Whether kids attend an elementary school, charter school, high school, private school, or special education center; these students all have one thing in common: the need to arrive safely to and from school.

The first day of school can be exciting and hectic for students as well as parents. Traffic congestion continues to be a problem for everyone and can lead to car accidents. However, this is not the only problem facing kids headed into the new school year. There are more students walking, increased traffic, and increasing numbers of parents driving students to school. Below are some suggestions to help make for a safe back-to-school season.

School Zone Speed Limits

North Carolina drivers must obey speed limits near school zones during school hours. School zones are designated areas on the streets near and around any school, or near a crosswalk leading to a school. These speed limits are in effect during certain school hours (usually, 30 minutes before and after school).

Be sure to keep an eye out for warning signs whenever entering a school zone that instructs drivers of the speed limit in that area. The signs usually are equipped with flashing lights to get drivers’ attention. Moreover, beware that speeding fines are doubled in school zone areas.

Crossing Guards and Crosswalks

Crossing guards are put in place for children to safely reach school. Students and parents who walk to school need to be aware of their surroundings at all times. It’s always a good practice to obey any instructions given by the crossing guard. Children and parents should wait on the sidewalk until the guard has instructed them that it is safe to cross.

School Buses

Soon school buses will be hitting the roads, making sure students arrive at school safely. Buses are important because they take an estimated 17 million cars a year off the roads that surround schools each morning. With all those buses on the roads, car drivers must be cautious maneuvering around the many school buses carrying children to school.

Any driver that encounters a stopped school bus with red flashing lights needs to stop and remain stopped until the school bus begins to move again. This is always true even if there are no children getting on or off the bus. Please do not be impatient behind school buses. Remember, someone’s precious cargo is on that bus.

Injured in an Accident? Our Attorneys May Can Help.

At Riddle & Brantley, we believe that children are precious and deserve the safest care possible, even when traveling to school. It’s important to remember that with schools back in session, our streets and highways will be busier. Being aware of your surroundings and cautious to students is critical to maintaining a safe “back to school” season.

While following all of these tips will decrease the chances of an accident, some accidents cannot be avoided. In the event, you or a loved one are involved in an accident, whether driving, walking or riding a school bus, it’s important that you speak to a lawyer quickly. There is often critical evidence to collect and witnesses to interview that can help your case. Our accident attorneys understand this process and will work diligently to get you the compensation you deserve.

With offices throughout North Carolina, our representatives are ready to help. Our team is always ready to fight for justice. If you been in an accident, don’t wait — contact our North Carolina personal injury attorneys today. The consultation is always free, and you don’t pay any fees unless we win.

Don’t forget that during this “back to school” season, Safety Counts.