It’s that time of year again. Pumpkin spice is in the air, pencils are sharpened, and smart phones are buzzing with everything from locker room gossip to the latest homework assignments. Students of all ages are “back to school” and summer break is over.

The streets are once again bustling with students, busses, cars, pedestrians, bikers and novice drivers. Getting to school or work safely and then back home again is the responsibility of every driver on the road.

Key Driving Statistics to Note

The law firm of Alvin F. de Levie & Associates knows that you’re extra attentive when it comes to school zones and dropping off your kids, but sometimes accidents can still happen.  That’s why the personal injury lawyers at the de Levie firm are here to help you in case of an emergency.

With roads once again full of traffic, here are tips to stay safe:

Watch for Pedestrians

With a large population of teens and college students having access to a car, the shift from summer driving to back-to-school commuting means everyone must be more diligent while driving.

Before hitting the road, yourself, or handing those keys over to your teenager or college student, you should be aware of some facts.  Motor Vehicle accidents are the leading cause for drivers ages 15 to 20 and statistics have shown that young adults are much more likely to engage in drunk driving, fatigued driving, and distracted driving, which includes using their cellphone to talk or send text messages.

The Top Road Safety Tips For Back to School Commuters

The following are a few safety tips for back-to­ school to help keep your family and friends safe.

• School zone speed limits - School zone speed limits vary by state. (Pennsylvania, 15 mph, Delaware, 20 mph, and New Jersey, 25 mph) Slow down and be aware!
• School bus safety - Motorists must pay close attention to school bus stops. Excited children are notorious for pushing, shoving, and horseplay. Be aware that a child could suddenly trip or fall into the line of traffic. Be sure to stop when a school bus’s lights are flashing!
• Distracted drivers, distracted walkers - Children are distracting so don't add to that by using cell phones or other devices while driving. In addition to being illegal, using a mobile device while driving increases the likelihood of a car accident. Be aware of distracted walkers. Students may step out into traffic, trip and fall off a curb, or fail to notice a car backing up. Always use caution!
• Backing up, looking down - When backing up, always check for children and proceed slowly. If your car has a back-up camera, be sure to check it. Go slow and be careful while backing up!
• Bicycles - If you see a child on a bicycle, slow down and provide at least four feet of passing distance when you pass in your vehicle. Children often swerve while riding their bikes.  Be aware of those around you!
• Dropping children off at school - Be sure to follow the school's drop off and pick up procedures, in order to protect children from unexpected driving maneuvers and obstacles such as double parking, stopping in crosswalks, and unloading children in non-designated drop-off areas. Be cautious when children are around!
• New school year, new drivers - A new school year often means more new and inexperienced student drivers on the roadways. Teenage drivers may be nervous and unsure, or overconfident and impulsive. Teens can also be easily distracted. Always use defensive driving tactics!

Always be Cautious and Alert

Accidents occur, but you want to be as focused a driver as possible in order to keep children, pedestrians, and motorists safe.

Also, because teens make up the largest percentage of distracted drivers, with 56% admitting to talking on cell phones while driving and 13% admitting to texting while behind the wheel, you’ll want to have a lengthy discussion with your teen-driver about safety.

Remind them to:

• Keep their eyes on the road at all times as interacting with passengers is the number one reason for crashes.
• Never look at or text on their cellphone as this is the second highest reason for crashes.
• Never search for items, attempt to groom, or stare at something in the vehicle while driving.

Regardless of how careful you and your child may be while driving, the sad truth is that far too many motorists drive recklessly. Somebody else’s negligence may cause a personal injury to you or a loved one.

When this happens, you need a law firm that will fight for the truth.  A law firm that will fight for you.  The Law Offices of Alvin F. de Levie & Associates understands the law and has the experience you need on your side to get any issues resulting from injuries or accidents during the back-to-school frenzy resolved. Contact our firm today at (844)-777-2529.