Once again it's nearly time for children to return to school. A survey suggests that adults need to become more aware of activity near school zones and school bus stops. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), students are at much greater risk traveling to and from school than at any other time in their school day. Interestingly, the survey found that 15 percent of respondents say they personally know of a child who has been injured or killed waiting for or getting on/off a school bus.
The survey demonstrated that drivers' behaviors, particularly when driving through school zones during school hours, need to become more attuned to:
1. Don't be distracted while driving during the school year.
35 percent of respondents with children said they have turned around to reprimand a child while carpooling or driving children to school.
10 percent of respondents have accidentally driven past a school bus that was displaying flashing red lights; women (11 percent) were slightly more likely than men (eight percent) to do this.
27 percent of respondents said they tried to pass a school bus as quickly as possible rather than drive behind it.
2. Drivers need to be extra alert during the school year.
72 percent of respondents said they have experienced a child crossing the road without looking for oncoming traffic.
44 percent have experienced a child darting out into the street trying to reach their school bus before it departs.
One out of four respondents report that children in their neighborhood do not wait for the school bus in a safe place (away from traffic, well-lit, sheltered, etc.).
Drivers need to be increasingly alert, especially when driving in school zones and around school buses. Children can do unpredictable things and when we have our own children or other's in our vehicles it can be distracting. The survey also indicated that drivers could be more aware of the location of neighborhood bus stops. Only 65 percent of respondents knew the location of the bus stops in their neighborhood compared to 76 percent who knew the location of the nearest liquor store and 86 percent who knew the location of the nearest low-cost gas station.
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With Children On Their Way Back To School, Survey Suggests That Adults May Need A Lesson In Driving Safety