The Back-to-School-Zone Could be a Danger Zone

As we emerge from our summer-vacation-induced haze and return to school, moms and dads may be breathing a sigh of relief ... but not so fast. Heading back to school can be dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians, especially the first few weeks when parents, teachers and kids are getting back into a routine.

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From riding the bus to carpooling, safety should be first for both kids and parents. Check out our back-to-school-zone safety tips below. Some of these may seem like common sense, but like multiplication tables, we all could probably use a little refresher.

Carpooling

• Car seats and seat belts are a must. It may seem like you're driving a bus full of kids, but don't take on too many. All kids need their own seat and proper restraint. This means a seat belt or a car seat, depending on the child's size and age. For in-a-pinch booster solutions, check out compact, portable boosters from Bubble Bum and Mifold.
• Set firm rules. Make sure all the kids know the rules of the car. One must-have rule: The car doesn't move until everyone is buckled.
• Get rid of distractions. Silence cellphones and loud music, save breakfast for the kitchen and makeup touchups for the bathroom. According to AAA, drivers spend more than half their time focused on things other than driving, and distracted driving contributes to more than 5,000 traffic fatalities each year.

Use Caution in the School Zone

• Obey the speed limit and stop signs. According to AAA, more than a third of drivers roll through stop signs in school zones and neighborhoods. If the sign says, "Stop," you need to do it. Similarly, AAA reports that pedestrians struck by vehicles traveling in school-zone speeds (25 mph) are nearly two-thirds less likely to be killed than those struck by vehicles traveling just 10 mph faster. Slow down.
• Be aware of pedestrians. If you see a ball, toy or a dog crossing the street, assume a kid will come running after it. Watch for children darting out from between cars, especially near intersections. Be careful when driving near parked trucks and SUVs; it's difficult to see kids behind taller vehicles.
• Watch for bikes. Children on bikes can be unsteady and unpredictable, so leave plenty of space between your car and the bike. Also, if your child rides a bicycle to school, require that they wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet on every ride.
• Be visible. Drive with your headlights on -- even during the day -- so children and other drivers can see you.
• Brake for buses. According to a survey by the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, on a typical day more than 75,000 vehicles pass stopped school buses. It's unsafe and against the law.

Bus Safety

• Plan ahead. Allow enough time to get to the bus stop. Children running to catch a bus can increase the chance of a disaster.
• Stay out of the street. Make sure kids walk along the sidewalk, if available, and stay on the sidewalk at the bus stop.
• Volunteer. If a parent or two can be present at the bus stop, kids are much more likely to practice safe behavior. Gathering a couple of neighbors and splitting up the duties each week builds community and keeps kids safe.
• Establish bus rules. Kids should sit down quickly and face the front of the bus. Looking at the driver so he knows everyone is ready to go is respectful and helps the bus stay on time. Don't block the aisles with backpacks, instruments or even legs. Having a clear path for exiting the bus is important if there's a crash. Keep all body parts inside the bus. No horseplay; screaming and jumping around are distracting to the driver.
• Listen to the driver. A bus driver's job is to get kids to school safely. It doesn't matter if yours is sweet as pie or mean and crabby. Either way, ignoring the driver causes a safety risk.
• Always cross in front of the bus. Visibility from the driver's seat of a school bus is best about 10 feet around the front of the bus, so students should make sure to cross far ahead of the bus. Similarly, students should never pick up something that's dropped in front of, near or under the bus. Always talk to the driver before leaning down to pick something up.

Waving a tearful goodbye to summer can be painful for kids heading back to school, but you can ease the transition by making sure everyone stays safe. Save the stress for the multiplication quiz.