Ten Tips for Driving Safely During the Back-to-School Season
Written by Staff Writer
School’s back in session — if you’ve been out on the road lately, you’ve probably noticed. Kids are crossing streets without looking. Buses keep stopping. And every parent seems to be in a mild state of panic.
Whether you’re driving your own kids to class or just trying to get through a school zone on your usual route, it’s a good time to ease up on the gas and stay alert.
Here’s the thing: a few small habits can go a long way toward keeping kids safe. Let’s walk through the 10 that matter most.
1. Slow Down in School Zones
There’s a reason speed limits drop near schools. Kids can be unpredictable. They might dart out from behind a parked car or cross the street without looking. They’re not thinking about traffic — they have other things on their minds.
Most school zones enforce 15 or 25-mph speed limits during certain hours, which are usually marked with flashing signs. Ignoring them can lead to large fines or points on your license.
2. Watch for Pedestrians and Bicyclists
Kids don’t always think before crossing the street. They might come out from between cars or cross without looking, avoiding traffic signals or assuming drivers will see them and stop.
Safe driving also means being aware of how to share the road with cyclists and other drivers, especially in areas with heavy foot and bike traffic. Slow down and be patient. A few extra seconds could keep someone safe and maybe even save a life.
3. Follow School Bus Laws
School buses follow strict safety rules. If the red lights are flashing and the stop arm is out, you have to stop. This is required no matter what side of the road you’re on, unless there's a solid median in between.
Trying to sneak past a bus that’s picking up or dropping off kids? Don’t. That’s one of the fastest ways to get a ticket. In some places, if someone gets hurt, it’s a criminal offense.
Bottom line: when a bus stops, you stop. No exceptions. The rule exists for a reason.
4. Avoid Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the biggest reasons crashes happen, and it’s even more risky when school is in session.
Put the phone away. Don’t text, scroll or even take a quick peek at the screen. It only takes a second for something to go wrong.
If you need help staying focused, turn on Do Not Disturb or use hands-free mode. Whatever helps you keep your eyes up and your hands on the wheel.
5. Leave Early
During the school season, you’ll likely encounter heavier traffic, more frequent stops and delays near school zones. Leaving earlier can help reduce the urge to speed or drive aggressively if you’re running late.
Use traffic apps or local school district information to check for known congestion areas or school-related detours. Giving yourself 10 to 15 extra minutes each morning can positively affect how safely you drive.
6. Stay Alert
Many students walk to and from school. Drive slowly through these areas, especially during school commute hours.
Children may appear suddenly from behind parked cars or fail to look both ways. Stay off residential shortcuts during peak school hours if possible, and never assume a child sees your vehicle or intends to stop.
7. Obey Crossing Guards and Traffic Signs
Crossing guards exist to keep kids safe. Sometimes, that means holding up traffic longer than you’d prefer.
Also, keep an eye out for cones, folding signs or temporary barricades near school entrances. Some schools flip the traffic pattern during pickup or drop-off, and it’s easy to miss the change if you're not looking.
8. Practice Extra Caution During Drop-Off and Pick-Up
School drop-offs are messy. Horns honking, cars creeping along, kids darting out of back seats.
Stick with your school’s traffic plan. They’ve usually figured out what works best — even if it feels slow. Whatever you do, don’t double-park or let your kid hop out into the middle of the street.
If your child’s getting out, it should be on the side closest to the sidewalk, and never toward traffic. Some schools ask parents to stay in the car. If that’s the setup, just roll through, wave goodbye and keep things moving.
Remember to watch for buses and kids on foot. They always get the right of way.
9. Share the Road with Teen Drivers
Back-to-school season often means more newly licensed teen drivers on the road. Be patient and give them space. Teen drivers may drive cautiously or unpredictably as they build experience behind the wheel.
If you're a parent of a teen driver, take time to review safe driving habits, such as obeying speed limits, eliminating distractions and knowing when to yield.
10. Stay Patient and Calm
It’s easy to become frustrated during the rush of morning drop-offs or afternoon congestion, but aggressive driving only increases the risk of collisions. Stay patient, avoid honking unnecessarily and remember that everyone is trying to get to their destination safely.
Why Defensive Driving Matters
Back-to-school traffic is its own type of crazy. You have buses stopping every few blocks, kids crossing where they shouldn’t and drivers making last-minute turns because they missed the drop-off entrance (again).
This is where defensive driving really earns its keep. It’s all about being prepared. Think of it like giving yourself extra reaction time. You’re scanning ahead, leaving space and lifting off the gas a little sooner. You’re tuned in, not just to what’s happening now, but to what might happen next.
The best defensive drivers are the calm ones — the people who don’t take the bait when someone cuts them off or forget how a four-way stop works. Staying cool and focused keeps you in control, and that’s half the battle.
Select your state and enroll in our defensive driving course to brush up on these important skills, remove points from your record and possibly reduce insurance premiums.
Make Safety a Priority This School Year
Now that school’s back, it’s a good time to rethink how you drive — especially near kids. Slow down when you’re near a school. Watch for crosswalks, flashing lights and those unexpected bus stops that seem to come out of nowhere.
Honestly? Keep your cool. Traffic gets messy this time of year. But every time you make a calm, careful choice, you’re making things safer — not just for students, but for everyone on the road.