Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers Share Back To School Safety Tips For Motorists

Summer break is drawing to an end which means the return to school for thousands of students in our area.  Motorists will soon be sharing the roads with an increased number of school buses, student walkers and student bicyclists on their way to and from school.  By following some basic safety tips, motorists can help keep the roads safe for students and drivers alike.

• Never pass a stopped school bus

It is illegal in all fifty states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload students.  Red flashing lights and an extended stop sign indicate to motorists that a bus is loading or unloading students.  Traffic in both directions must stop at that time.  To allow the students the necessary space to enter or exit the bus, motorists should leave a buffer zone of 10 feet around the school bus and never pass a bus on the right side under any circumstances.

• Watch for child pedestrians

Not every student takes a bus to school.  Child pedestrians walk to and from school and have the same right-of-way as other pedestrians.  Motorists should take special care when entering a school zone given the unpredictable nature of child pedestrians.  Take notice of marked pedestrian crosswalks and always follow the directions of school safety patrol officers or designated crossing guards.  It is important not to block crosswalks when you are stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn as this creates an especially dangerous situation for child pedestrians who are forced to walk around your vehicle.

• Keep child bicyclists on your mind

Child bicyclists are often difficult to see in traffic and can pose a significant safety risk given their inexperienced judgment with changing traffic conditions.  Be especially careful while making turns in your vehicle when there are child bicyclists sharing the road.  Always allow the bicyclists to enter the intersection and pass you before attempting to make your turn.  Do not assume that the bicyclists will use proper hand signals to notify you of their movements.

By taking these extra precautions, you can appropriately share the road with school buses, student pedestrians and student bicyclists and keep the roads safer this school year.

Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorneys at Galfand Berger Represent Individuals Injured in Auto Accidents in Philadelphia

Motor vehicle accidents can occur any time of the year.  If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a car or truck collision, the Philadelphia auto accident lawyers at Galfand Berger will aggressively pursue your claim to help you obtain the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled.  Our experienced personal injury attorneys have offices conveniently located in Philadelphia, Reading and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to service clients throughout Pennsylvania, including the Harrisburg and Allentown region, as well as the South Jersey area.  To schedule your free confidential consultation, call Galfand Berger today at 1-800-222-8792 or submit an online inquiry form.