When fall arrives, school starts for the very young, all the way up to those graduating high school. It has already started in some parts of the country. Younger students might not always be aware of their surroundings, so Connecticut drivers must be mindful of young ones darting out into the street. The fault doesn’t always lie with the students, as some drivers find themselves prone to committing moving violations. Not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign could slightly and illegally speed up the trip home, but such driving behavior increases the chances for a pedestrian accident. With little ones running around before and after school, the potential for an accident might be even higher.
Looking out for school children
Drivers should keep an eye out for signs that note school crossings, children at play, and similar “heads-up” warnings. Children aren’t always familiar with their surroundings, and they might become easily distracted. Chasing a ball into the street may not seem dangerous to a child with little life experience. An older driver may need to be extra careful when around kids, and paying attention to signs helps the cause.
Of course, there will be children near a grade school. Drivers should drive at the posted speed limits and follow suggestions to decrease speed during school hours.
Distracted driving is unsafe no matter where, but distractions could be even more dangerous when near a school zone. Even brief distractions could cause pedestrian and car accidents, so stay alert.
Stay careful around school buses
Those well-known yellow buses bring young ones to and from school, and school buses are a common sight on roads virtually everywhere. Drivers must follow traffic laws regarding school buses, such as remaining at a stop when the bus’s lights flash. Passing a bus when the driver warns others to stay still could lead to more than a ticket. A tragic wrongful death suit may follow a terrible moving violation.
Drivers who injure adults or children due to the negligent operation of a motor vehicle may face judgment in civil court. The award could be massive if the harm is catastrophic.