Driving Kids to School Safely
Driving kids to school has become so popular it's now the norm. As families become busier and sustain increasingly complex and demanding schedules, driving has become the main mode of transportation for many, rather than an option. While we do live in a car culture where most people can't imagine getting around without one, there are ways to minimize your car use: ride-share or carpool with other families; drop the kids off partway to school and have them walk or cycle the rest of the way to add some exercise to their routine; schedule errands before or after so multiple tasks can be accomplished with one outing.
Never pass a vehicle that has slowed down or has stopped at a crosswalk.
Safety Considerations
It's definitely a fast way to get kids to school but driving to and through school zones has its own particular considerations, especially concerning speed. If you drive your children to school, here are some suggestions you might find useful:
- As you approach the school, be particularly mindful of kids dashing out onto the streets. Children haven't developed the cognitive skills yet to perceive traffic danger. They have difficulty telling how fast cars are moving and assume if they can see the car, the driver sees them.
- Follow the speed limit. Kids assume that cars can stop immediately so keep your reflexes sharp so you can make quick decisions if needed.
- Unless the school has a specific drop-off area, don't drive onto school property. You'll only add to the congestion and make it more confusing for drivers trying to navigate the parking lot. This scenario also creates a dangerous environment for kids who may be weaving through this area.
- Consider parking a few blocks away from school so you and your children get some of the benefits of a brisk walk in the fresh air. You'll most likely save time and definitely reduce stress. You'll also lower the number of cars entering the school zone, creating a safer (and less polluted!) environment.
- Don't use the space by school-area crosswalks as a drop-off or pick-up point. These are kept clear for a reason! If you park there, you'll greatly reduce visibility for motorists and make it difficult for them to clearly see if anyone's using the crosswalk.
- Never pass a vehicle that has slowed down or has stopped at a crosswalk. When you're in a school zone, assume that the car in front of you has slowed down because of a child crossing or nearing a crosswalk. You may not be able to see a small child from behind another car.
- When dropping off your children, ensure it's in a safe environment, ideally on the curb that's on the same side of the street as the school. Never let them leave the car in the middle of traffic, even if you're at a stop sign or light.
- If you have teenagers that are starting to drive themselves to school, use this as an opportunity to teach them about sustainable transportation methods. For example, agree to let them borrow the family car only if they ride-share and drive siblings or several friends to school as well. Or coordinate household schedules so other people in the house can get a ride to a transit hub on their way to work.
If you have any additional tips or ideas to share about ensuring the daily drive to school is as safe as possible for your kids and the neighbourhood, leave a comment below!