Back to School – 10 Top Tips to Make the School Run Safer

It is September again which can mean only one thing – the dreaded school run recommences. According to the RAC, the first day back at school can see 3 times as much traffic on our roads. Sitting in traffic can sometimes be frustrating however, whether you are travelling to school by foot, car, bike or public transport, if you remember these 10 simple tips, you can make your journey a lot safer and a lot less stressful.

  1. Don’t get distracted! Safety is the number one priority so please ensure you leave plenty of time for your journey, stay calm and pay full attention to the road and to the area around you.
  2. Take extra care when overtaking a bus as it is likely there will be passengers disembarking and they may not always be initially visible.
  3. Ensure that your children remain on the footpath until any buses have moved away and they have a clear view. Children should not be crossing the road in front of or behind a bus where they are obscured from view.road accident claim
  4. Ensure your children are wearing their seatbelts at all times.
  5. Expect the Unexpected – be aware of children walking and cycling to school when you are driving.
  6. Slow down when approaching schools.
  7. Always stop your vehicle when a school crossing shows a ‘Stop for Children’ Sign.
  8. When dropping your children off at school, it is much safer for them to get out of the car on the side next to the kerb; if they are seated behind the driver, ensure they slide across before exiting.
  9. Never park on zig zag lines outside schools as this will cause an obstruction and reduce visibility!
  10. If you are walking your children to school, dress them in bright clothing and keep them on the inside of the footpath away from road where it is safer.

If you have been involved in a road traffic accident and would like to find out more about how our specialist personal injury lawyers could help you, please email on katrinalagan@hhdsolicitors.com.