School’s Out! There Are Lots More Kids on the Road, So Here Are Some Key Safety Tips

School’s Out, Here are Some Safety Tips

School is finally out for the summer! It’s the best time of year for kids across the country, but it’s also a time of year during which both drivers and parents need to take some extra precautions to make sure that all the kids who are now out and about stay safe all summer long.

With this in mind, here are some safety tips for you to consider.

Drivers

Drivers should be extra cautious during the summer months. Here are a few tips for them specifically:

• Be alert: While you should always be alert while you’re behind the wheel, you should be especially alert when driving through residential areas, or areas near where kids are likely to congregate, such as parks and playgrounds. You never know quite what to expect when you’re in an area with a lot of kids. They tend to cross the street in the wrong location, or might suddenly chase a ball or ride a bike out in front of you. Stay vigilant at all times.
• Obey the rules of the road: The rules of the road exist for a reason, so you should make sure to obey them, especially when children are present. Slow down when you see children along the road, and allow them to cross the street at crosswalks. Make full stops at intersections so you can give yourself more time to look out for them.
• Drive in a predictable manner: Avoid making any sudden movements that others might not expect—especially children who are out and about in the area.
• Check when backing out: Always make sure you double-check behind you when backing out of a driveway or a space in a parking lot so you can be sure it’s safe to proceed.
• Eliminate distractions: Never allow yourself to be distracted while behind the wheel. Put your cell phone away, have both hands on the wheel and avoid anything else that could distract you.

Parents

There are also some steps parents can take to keep their kids safe this summer. Here are a few tips:

• Teach kids basic road safety: Children should always know to look both ways before they cross the street, or for the very young ones, avoid crossing the street at all without your presence. They should also know to make eye contact with the driver before they cross, even if they have the right of way.
• Crosswalks: Teach kids to cross the street only at marked crosswalks or crossing lights, especially on busier streets.
  Watch for cars: Make sure your kids know to watch for cars when approaching driveways or alleys so they can be aware of any cars backing up or pulling out.
• Avoid shortcuts: When walking with your kids, avoid taking shortcuts, such as through parking lots, as that poses a greater risk of drivers not seeing the kids and causing an accident.

For more information about how you can keep your kids safe out on the roads this summer, contact K-Way Express, Inc. today.