School Commute Safety - St. Louis Auto Accident Lawyers

By Christopher Hoffmann  Aug. 27, 2019 1:46p

The new school year is here. And while you may be thinking about school supplies, let us ask you this: have you talked with your kid or teen about school commute safety?

Numerouspersonal injury cases involve children getting hurt during their commute to school.

Here are a few rules that you should teach your kids.

Children Under 10 Should Always Be Accompanied

Statistics show that five children get hurt each week while walking to school. While you can't protect your kids from every possible harm, there are some steps that you could take to minimize the risks.

It goes without saying that children under 10 years old should always be accompanied by one or more adults, regardless if they are walking or biking to school. However, that is not enough to keep them safe. Be a model to them and explain why and how they should act during their commute.

Here are some of the rules that you should teach them:

• Only cross the road at crosswalks

• Always look both ways before crossing

• Pay close attention to traffic rules and signs and follow them accordingly

• Always wear a helmet when biking

• Don't wear headphones or use a mobile device while biking or walking

• Use the designated bike lanes whenever possible

• Don't wear dark clothes that make it difficult for drivers to see you

Talk with Your Teen about Responsible Driving

You may think that once your kids have grown a bit, their likelihood of getting hurt will decrease. However, statistics show that car accidents are the leading cause of death of 15 to 25 years olds. And, it's not because they are engaging in reckless behavior, such as drinking and driving or speeding. Many car accidents that involve teens occur within half a mile of school and take place because the driver is tired, distracted or simply inexperienced.

Here are some rules that your teen should follow (all the time, not only when driving to and from school:)

• No cell phone while driving. There are apps that they can install on their phones that will prevent them from using the phone while behind the wheel.

• Limit the number of people allowed in the car. Accidents often occur because there are too many passengers in the car and the driver can't focus properly.

Safe Conduct while Riding a Bus

Bus accidents are generally rare, and when they happen the injuries are minor. While there's nothing that you can do to prevent these accidents, you can teach your kids a few safety rules that will reduce their chances of getting hurt should a crash occur.

• Use the seatbelt if there is one

• Stand three feet from the curb while waiting for the bus

• Remain seated until the bus comes to a full stop

• Allow just one person to sit next to you on the bench

Has Your Child Been Hurt?

There's no news more troubling for a parent than learning that their kid has been hurt in a car accident.

Reach out to a St. Louis car accident attorney as soon as possible for more information regarding your legal options. Give us a call 24/7 at (314) 361-4242