Happy back to school! As the new school year begins, Michigan neighborhoods and streets will soon be filled with students walking, biking, and catching the bus. With so much added foot traffic during morning and afternoon hours, it’s more important than ever for drivers, parents, and kids to stay alert and follow basic safety practices.
Whether your child walks to school, rides their bike, or takes the bus, these tips can help everyone stay safe and avoid preventable accidents this school year.
For Drivers: Drive with Awareness and Care
As school starts, drivers should expect to see more children walking, biking, and waiting for buses, especially in neighborhoods and near crosswalks.
- Slow down in school zones and residential areas, especially during morning and afternoon school hours. These speed limits are set for a reason and are often in effect during peak times like 7 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m.
- Always stop for school buses when red lights are flashing or the stop arm is extended. Traffic must stop in both directions unless there is a median. Many Michigan buses are now equipped with cameras to catch drivers who fail to stop.
- Pay extra attention at crosswalks and intersections. Children may not always look before crossing or may cross unexpectedly.
- Obey all signs and crossing guards, including “No Turn on Red” restrictions during school hours.
- Avoid distractions like texting, eating, or adjusting navigation. Michigan’s hands-free law requires phones to be out of reach while driving so your full attention stays on the road.
For Parents: Practice Pedestrian Safety
- Walk the school route with your child before the first day to identify safe crossings and sidewalks.
- Remind kids to use sidewalks whenever available. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and stay as far to the side as possible, according to the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP).
- Stop and look both ways before crossing the street. Look left, right, then left again, and keep looking while crossing.
- Children should make eye contact with drivers before crossing to ensure they’ve been seen. Bright colors, reflective gear, and backpack lights can also help make them more visible, especially in the early morning or late afternoon.
- Phones and headphones should be put away while walking so children can focus on traffic and their surroundings.
- Young children under age 10 should cross streets with an adult whenever possible, as they may not yet have the skills to judge traffic speed or distance safely.
Extra Tips for Bikers
If your child bikes to school, they should always walk their bike across busy intersections to stay in control and aware of their surroundings. Helmets should always be worn and properly fitted. Before school starts, check that their bike is in good working condition, including brakes, tires, and reflectors. Like any pedestrian, young bikers need to follow traffic signals, avoid distractions, and stay visible to drivers.
Quick Recap
Back-to-school season brings excitement, routine, and more traffic to Michigan roads. By slowing down, staying focused, and teaching kids how to travel safely, we can all do our part to protect students as they head to and from school each day. We wish all students, families, and educators a safe and successful school year!
If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian or bicycle accident, contact our firm for a free consultation.