The return of children to school after the summer break can be a dangerous time on the roads. Drivers and pedestrians alike may have gotten used to a different pattern of traffic over the last few months, and it can take some time to adapt to the school day routine again.
Here are a few of the factors that can make accidents more likely:
Drivers don’t realize the speed limit is lower
Some roads have speed limits that are lower during school times. So a driver might have been passing by at 30 mph all summer, and fail to realize that school is back in and the “school zone” speed limit now applies. That excess of speed can make all the difference when there are more people using that stretch of road.
Kids don’t realize they need to be more cautious
Your child may have spent weeks playing out on the street with their friends, riding their bicycle or playing ball games next to the road. If they relaxed their guard due to a low volume of traffic, they might be unprepared when traffic increases. They might run into the road to fetch a ball without looking for traffic simply because there haven’t been any cars the last fifty times they did the same.
The stress can leave drivers distracted and in a rush
Allowing your child to get up, get dressed and eat breakfast in their own time is a luxury many parents relish over the summer. That disappears as soon as classes start again, and you may have to take charge to make it all happen on time. It can leave kids and parents stressed and running late, and that can make for less attention being paid to the road when driving.
If you or your child are injured in a collision, it’s wise to learn how best to pursue the compensation you may need.
