Beneficial New Law
Traffic safety — SB2367 allows a person convicted of speeding to take a defensive driving course within 90 days of their conviction in order to have up to 5 points removed from their driving record.
Driving in the School Zone Area
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Slow down and drive extra cautiously.
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Don’t load or unload children across the street from the school.
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Don’t double park; it blocks visibility for other children and vehicles.
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When flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection.
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Be prepared for kids to appear in unexpected places, like from between parked cars; if they’re on bikes, prepare for them to turn in front of you without looking or signaling.
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If you need to use your phone, be sure you’re pulled over safely.
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Watch for kids walking while looking at their phones. One study found that a full 20 percent of high school students cross the street while distracted.
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If possible, carpool to reduce the number of cars at school.
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Don’t ever block a crosswalk; it forces pedestrians to go around you and could put them in the path of moving traffic.
Driving Safely When You See a School Bus
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Most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are four to seven years old and on foot, according to the NSC. They’re hit by the bus or by a motorist passing a bus that’s stopped to load or unload children—something that’s illegal in all 50 states.
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If you’re driving behind a school bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car—at least three car lengths.
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Stay alert for flashing lights on a bus, which warn drivers of an impending stop. Treat yellow flashing lights the same as a yellow stop light and decrease your speed. Stop when you see red flashing lights.
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The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough away to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus.