With children returning to school after the summer break the US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has offered tips to help keep the roads safe for all.
Drivers are reminded to watch out for children and follow all traffic laws, including speed limits in school zones, yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, and not passing school buses when their lights are flashing and stop arms are extended.
“Tragedy can strike in a split second, so let’s all be extra cautious as children head back to school,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman.
“Parents, please talk to your kids, whether they ride a bus, bicycle, walk or drive to school. And all drivers, stay alert on the roads—it could save a life.”
New NHTSA data shows that 104 people died in school-transportation-related crashes in 2022.
The organization has offered the following tips to drivers:
- Slow down and prepare to stop when a school bus’ yellow lights are flashing. Drivers must come to a full stop and wait when a bus’ red lights are flashing and its stop-arm is extended.
- Give cyclists enough room on the road, being careful not to pass too closely, and look left-right-left and behind when turning right on red. Drivers should also yield to bicyclists as they would to motorists and be careful not to underestimate a bicyclist’s speed.
- Look out for pedestrians everywhere, follow the speed limit—especially in school zones and neighborhoods—and use extra caution at dark or in other hard-to-see conditions.
