Note to Self: Children Have Habit of Running Into Roadways

Children readily charge into traffic after a ball or sprint from a school bus without looking. That’s just part of being young, exuberant and carefree.

And that’s a big problem even for careful drivers as schools across the nation start fall sessions.

“Back to school season should be a time for learning, not for tragedy,” said Chris Cochran of the California Office of Traffic Safety. “It’s important to focus on traffic safety among parents and children of all ages who walk, ride their bicycle, take the bus, or are driven to and from school.”

Nationwide, children are returning to the crosswalks and sidewalks as another school year begins. Even if they have memorized rules for road safety, kids are prone to spacing out at a moment’s notice.

Drivers face special challenges when school is in session. Here are some tips for safe and alert driving this fall:

• Heed bus signals. Extended stop arm and flashing red lights mean your vehicle must stop and wait until the warnings are withdrawn. This is true for both lanes of traffic (except when approaching the front of the school bus on separated roadway).
• Drive for the conditions. Go slowly in school zones and avoid hard or panic braking. First frosts are particularly slippery given oil and dirt accumulated during summer months.
• Exercise the "two-second rule" when following other drivers; in extreme conditions extend following distance. If drivers insist on tailgating, don’t let them create anxiety—just let them pass.
• Keep window surfaces clean. Fall rains splatter grime on your windshields. Late sunrises and early sunsets, especially with the return to standard time, create windshield glare.
• Use low beam headlights in oncoming traffic. High beams can create glare and potential accidents.