If you are a parent, summer is a time of year you may look forward to and dread all at the same time. Of course, summer means nice warm weather, vacations to the beach, and a plethora of outdoor activities and events. On the other hand, summer means finding ways to keep children occupied for weeks on end. However, no matter whether you love or loathe summer, one thing is for certain it does not last long.
Before you know it the economy sizes boxes of sunscreen, bug spray, and charcoal at your local big box store are replaced with tubs of backpacks and notebook paper—leaving you to think “where did summer go?” Back to school has a tendency to sneak up on even the most seasoned of parents. However, before you grab a supply list and rush out the door, students are not the only ones who need to get ready for the start of the new school year. Parents too, need to refresh themselves about how to share the road when the school year congestion begins.
School days are hectic, and that means the streets around your child’s school can become a difficult place to drive. Parents, frazzled from trying to get their children out of the door, are all trying to drop off their children before the school bells ring. In the mix of things are also kids who ride their bike and kids who walk to school. Oh, and do not forget those large yellow buses that are also trying to get to and from the school as well. While schools are considered to be safe places, the few minutes during a school’s pickup and drop-off can be quite dangerous times. According to the National Safety Council, more kids are hit by cars at schools than by any other location.
Parents can help make their children’s school pick up and drop off zone a safer place to be by keeping in mind the following:
- NEVER pass a school bus: Did you know that it is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that has stopped to pick up or drop off children. Once you see a bus’s yellow or red flashing lights flashing or the extended stop sign—you must stop. Keep in mind that the 10-foot radius around a bus is the most dangerous area for a child. So you once you have come to a stop, be alert.
- SLOW DOWN! Having a child be a few minutes late for school or being late yourself for work while not great is not the end of the world. Slow down, however, can save lives. It is important for parents to focus on the road and pay attention for children on bikes and walking through crosswalks.
- If possible, carpool. By trading off the responsibility of driving your children to school with other parents, you can reduce the amount of traffic around your child’s school. Easing congestion can make school zones safer for all children.
If you or your child suffered serious injuries after being involved in an accident, you can trust the experienced Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help. Our team of skilled Kansas City Injury Attorneys will work diligently to make sure that you receive compensation for your injuries. Trust the Personal Injury Attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. to help you, just as they have helped countless injured victims around the area, both in Kansas and Missouri. To find out how the attorneys at Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. can assist you with your injury case, contact our office today at (816) 472-4673 to schedule a consultation. At Hubbard & Kurtz, L.L.P. we strive to provide injury victims with outstanding legal services.