Back-to-School Travel Safety: Ensuring a Safe Journey for Your Child

August 8, 2024

As the school year begins, it’s time to think about how your child will travel to and from school safely. Whether they walk, bike, take the bus, or ride in a car, ensuring their safety on the journey is crucial. With proper planning and awareness, you can help your child stay safe during their daily commute. Here’s what you need to know to prepare for a safe return to school.

1. Walking to School: Stay Alert and Aware

Walking to school can be a great way for children to get exercise, but it’s important to teach them how to do so safely.

  • Use Sidewalks and Crosswalks: Always encourage your child to walk on sidewalks, if available. If there’s no sidewalk, they should walk facing traffic, staying as far from the road as possible. Teach them to cross streets only at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians.

  • Look Both Ways: Remind your child to stop and look both ways before crossing the street, even at marked crosswalks. They should make eye contact with drivers to ensure they’re seen before crossing.

  • Walk in Groups: There’s safety in numbers. Encourage your child to walk with a friend or in a group, especially if they’re younger. Not only is it safer, but it also makes the walk to school more enjoyable.

2. Biking to School: Gear Up for Safety

Biking is another healthy and eco-friendly way to travel to school, but it comes with its own set of safety considerations.

  • Wear a Helmet: A helmet is the most important piece of safety gear for any cyclist. Make sure your child wears a properly fitted helmet every time they ride their bike. The helmet should sit level on their head and cover their forehead, with the chin strap snug but comfortable.

  • Follow the Rules of the Road: Teach your child to ride on the right side of the road, in the same direction as traffic. They should use hand signals when turning and obey all traffic signs and signals. Remind them that they are sharing the road with cars and need to be alert at all times.

  • Bright and Reflective Clothing: Wearing bright, reflective clothing can help your child be seen by drivers, especially during early morning or late afternoon rides. Equip their bike with reflectors and lights to enhance visibility.

3. Taking the Bus: Safety Starts at the Stop

For many children, the school bus is the safest way to get to school. However, it’s important to follow safety guidelines both at the bus stop and on the bus itself.

  • Wait Safely: Your child should arrive at the bus stop early and wait in a safe place, away from the road. Teach them to stay at least three giant steps (about 6 feet) away from the curb while waiting for the bus.

  • Boarding and Exiting the Bus: Make sure your child knows to wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before approaching. When getting on or off the bus, they should use the handrails to prevent falls. If they need to cross the street, remind them to wait for the driver’s signal and to always look both ways before crossing.

  • Stay Seated: Once on the bus, your child should find a seat promptly and sit facing forward with their backpack on their lap. They should remain seated and avoid distracting the driver.

4. Riding in a Car: Buckle Up Every Time

If you drive your child to school, car safety is a must.

  • Use the Right Car Seat: Depending on your child’s age, height, and weight, they may need a car seat, booster seat, or just a seatbelt. Make sure they’re in the appropriate seat for their size and that it’s properly installed.

  • Buckle Up: Everyone in the car should wear a seatbelt at all times. The seatbelt should be positioned across the chest and lap, not the stomach or neck.

  • Follow School Drop-Off Procedures: Schools often have specific drop-off and pick-up procedures to ensure safety. Follow these procedures carefully, and never double park or let your child exit the car in an unsafe location.

5. Teen Drivers: Extra Caution on the Road

If your teenager is driving to school, they need to be especially cautious, as car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S.

  • Limit Distractions: Encourage your teen to avoid distractions while driving, such as texting, eating, or playing loud music. Remind them that their primary focus should be on the road.

  • Obey Speed Limits: Speeding is a major factor in teen driving accidents. Make sure your teen understands the importance of obeying speed limits and adjusting their speed for road conditions, such as rain or fog.

  • Limit Passengers: Having multiple passengers can increase the risk of accidents for teen drivers. Consider limiting the number of passengers your teen can have in the car, especially during the first few months of driving.

6. General Safety Tips for All Students

No matter how your child travels to school, there are a few general safety tips that apply to everyone.

  • Stay Visible: Whether walking, biking, or waiting for the bus, your child should wear bright or reflective clothing to increase visibility. This is especially important during early morning or late afternoon commutes when visibility is reduced.

  • Know the Route: Make sure your child is familiar with the route to school and knows what to do if they get lost. Discuss safe places they can go for help, like a trusted neighbor’s house or a local business.

  • Stranger Danger: Teach your child about stranger danger and the importance of never accepting rides from strangers or getting into a car with someone they don’t know.

 

As the new school year begins, making sure your child knows how to travel to and from school safely is essential. Whether they’re walking, biking, taking the bus, or riding in a car, following these safety tips can help prevent accidents and ensure a safe start to the school year.

Wishing everyone a safe and successful school year!

Sources

  1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). (2021). Back-to-School Safety Tips for Drivers.
  2. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2021). Tips for a Safe Walk to School.
  3. National Safety Council (NSC). (2021). Back-to-School Safety.
  4. Safe Kids Worldwide. (2021). Back to School Safety Checklist.