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Back to School Safety

South Jersey personal injury lawyers advocate for back to school safety.Fall is just around the corner and it is time to start purchasing school supplies, memorizing class schedules, and discussing back to school safety. Going to school is an opportunity for children to exercise independence. However, it is crucial that parents teach their children about important safety techniques, which is especially important for students transporting themselves to school. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 264 students died while walking, biking, waiting for the bus, or driving to school from 2008 to 2017.

Walking to School

If a school campus is local, students might prefer to walk. Walking is great exercise, and it can be an important part of a child’s routine. However, guardians must ensure that their child is taking proper precautions while walking to school. Parents should walk with their child a few times before they walk alone. This will ensure that they are familiar with their route and that they will not get lost. Similarly, parents should teach their children that they should not take shortcuts. This is because shortcuts often involve paths that are less visible, putting a child out of the public eye.

Children should be taught to only walk on the sidewalk. If a sidewalk ends, it is important that students walk facing traffic to avoid getting too close to cars. When crossing the street, students should utilize crosswalks and stay alert of drivers. When approached by a stranger, the student should be taught to inform parents, teachers, or other guardians. Similarly, students should never get into another person’s vehicle. This includes people that the child knows, unless the parent informs them otherwise.

Riding the Bus

Riding the bus is one of the safest methods of travel for a child. However, students face a threat to this safety while entering and exiting the bus. Therefore, it is important for students to exercise caution while waiting for the bus. Children should maintain a safe distance from the curb and approach the bus after it makes a complete stop. When exiting the bus, students should look both ways before crossing the street. Drivers might be unaware that passing a bus is unlawful, therefore, looking both ways to avoid accidents is crucial.

Driving to School

Parents driving their children to school have an important duty to remain cautious behind the wheel. There is often an influx of children walking, biking, and waiting for the bus during school hours. Similarly, buses are often making frequent stops to pick up children. This often leads to slower traffic. However, it is important for drivers to exercise patience, maintain a safe distance, and stay alert.

South Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm Advocate for Victims Injured in All Types of Accidents

If you or a loved one suffered from an injury due to another party’s negligence, please consider contacting a South Jersey personal injury lawyer at the D’Amato Law Firm. Our lawyers are proficient in developing cases that lead to successful outcomes for our clients. If you are interested in speaking to one of our lawyers, contact us online or call us at 609-926-3300 for a free consultation. Located in Egg Harbor Township, we proudly serve clients throughout South Jersey, including Atlantic City, Linwood, Galloway Township, Cape May, Vineland, Millville, Bridgeton, Ocean City, and Woodbury.