School has been back in session for a little while now, but it is never too late for a few back to school safety reminders. Whether your child is driven by you, walks or takes the bus, there are ways to make the trip to school safer.
Recently, CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) released three new school safety videos. These short videos are meant to remind drivers that road safety is even more important during the school year.
Keeping Everyone Safe during Back to School Season
When it comes to back to school safety, Elliott Silverstein, Government Relations Manager, CAA SCO, has this advice to share:
"Drivers need to pay extra attention in school zones and residential neighborhoods, especially before and after school hours because students can be easily distracted by friends and electronic devices. Drivers should also always avoid talking or texting on their phone. Taking your eyes off the road, even for a second, can have dire consequences."
So, if you are driving your kids to and from school or are out and about during school hours, you should use extra caution.
Back to School and Driving
This short video offers some excellent tips on how to safely drive your children to and from school:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwSJ4yY-aeo
CAA SCO also wants to remind drivers that it is important to stay alert and to:
- Never talk or text on your phone or engage in any activity that might take your attention away from the road.
- Make sure that there are no children on the sidewalk, driveway or behind your vehicle before backing up.
- Drive slowly and pay careful attention in residential areas and school zones.
- Be prepared to stop at all times. Children are known to dart out between parked vehicles.
Also, safe driving habits during the school season include school bus awareness.
Sharing the Road with School Buses
School buses carry precious cargo, so it is crucial to safely share the road with these vehicles. There are rules to follow when a school bus is present. Knowing and following these rules will keep kids safe and help you avoid fines and penalties.
This video from CAA SCO offers some quick reminders about school bus safety:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgANGld8Ao8
Remember, you should always come to a complete stop for school buses when their red lights are flashing. Drivers who fail to do this may face up to $2,000 in fines as well as six demerit points.
Safely Walking to School
For students who live close to their schools, walking to class can be a great way to start the day. However, if children are walking where there is traffic, it is vital that they are taught how to keep themselves safe.
Younger kids should be accompanied by an adult when walking to and from school. And while older students may be able to walk themselves, a parent may wish to accompany them the first time out. This will help them to be confident about taking the correct route.
Here is a great video about walking to school safely:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX3LZ29x45A
Nowadays, it is necessary to talk to kids about how distracting cell phones and other devices can be. According to a 2015 study from MediaSmarts, a lot of Canadian students will be heading back to school with a cell phone. This study reveals that over a quarter of students in Grade 4 have their own phones. By the time students are in Grade 11, it is predicted that at least 85 per cent of them will have cell phones.
So, if you have a child who owns a phone, a tablet or another type of electronic device, teach them that it is a bad idea to use them while walking. Phones should either be kept at home or stored in backpacks while they are walking to and from school.
Back to School Auto Financing
If it is time to buy a newer, more reliable car in order to make back to school driving as safe as possible, Canada Auto Loan can help. Even if you have less than perfect credit, we can match you with a dealership in your area that can work with your situation. You can get vehicle financing approval and back on the road before you know it.
Applying with us costs nothing and is obligation-free. So, go ahead and fill out our simple and secure online application to get started today.