Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers Discuss Back to School Safety

The back to school season is upon us! Students will be walking, bicycling, carpooling, riding buses, and in some cases, even driving to and from school each day. Now is the right time to slow down and pay close attention to the roads as you get back into the school year routine. It is also the perfect time to review safety tips with your children that will ensure they arrive safely to school and home each day. The American Red Cross, the National Safety Council, and the Federal Safe Routes to School Program have established safety guidelines that will help you protect your loved ones.

School Bus Safety Tips:

Children who ride the school bus are in the hands of competent and carefully screened bus drivers and aides, but there are still some precautions to take to make sure their ride is uneventful. Children need to be reminded that it is imperative for their own safety and those of the other children on the bus to remain seated at all times, with seatbelts fastened, whenever they’re available. Children should also be taught to wait until the bus has come to a complete stop, the red lights are flashing, and the door is opened before getting on or off the bus.

Walking and Bicycling to School:

Students that walk or bike to school need to understand that the rules of the road apply to them when they are sharing the road with vehicles. Stop signs, traffic lights, and yield signs need to be obeyed. Pedestrian walkways and bicycle lanes are there to provide safe passage. Failing to use them puts all those on the road in danger of serious collisions. Children should always cross streets and intersections where crossing guards or police officers are present. Moreover, students should wear brightly colored clothing, reflective tape or lights, helmets, and other protective gear to enhance their visibility to motorists.

Personal Safety:

All children, regardless of age need to be frequently reminded of how to protect themselves. Children traveling independently need to be taught to avoid strangers, even when they appear to be friendly. Children need to know they should be wary of any adult who may approach them for any reason.

It is always best for students to travel in groups, and never take an alternate route to school or home. Establishing a routine where children know what route they are expected to take, what time they are expected to arrive at school and at home will help parents monitor their children’s safety even when they are working.

Serious and sometimes fatal car accidents caused by talking or texting on the phone have been steadily increasing. Young people need to be reminded to put their phones down and keep their heads up whenever traveling. Pedestrian injuries and car accidents too often occur when individuals fail to see obstacles in their path, yield to oncoming traffic, or miss detours and caution signs.

Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP Represent Injured Victims

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a traffic accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Call the experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP at 1-800-222-USWA (8792), or contact us online to schedule a consultation today. Our offices are located in Philadelphia and we serve clients throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.