Come September and it’s back-to-school time for kids (parents and teachers, too)! With more children biking, driving, bussing or walking to school, every parent dreads that phone-call saying there’s been an accident and their kids have been injured. As road-users and drivers, we have a bigger responsibility to be more vigilant during start and end times and lunch-hour of schools, when the roads are crowded with kids of all ages running to catch a bus, walking in unruly groups, driving or wobbling along on their bikes.

Tips for Drivers: Pedestrian injury is one of the highest causes of injury-related death among children in Canada. As a driver, you need to be aware that traffic gets heavier when schools re-open after the summer break. There may be many more young drivers on the roads, who have just got their licenses and are still inexperienced.

1. Never disobey School Zone signs and speed limits: Remember that children are less vigilant and more easily distracted than adults. Hence you need to drive carefully throughout the day around school zones. Children also tend to dart out suddenly from behind parked vehicles or while getting off a bus.  Be prepared to stop suddenly, so keep your speed down.
2. Always heed the Crossing Guard: It’s the duty of the crossing guard to ensure children’s safety. Children are trained to assume that it’s safe if the crossing guard tells them to cross. Sometimes the traffic lights may be green but if the crossing guard puts up a stop sign, it’s wiser to stop because there may be a kid crossing whom you can’t see.
3. Be Patient: Watch out for children waiting to cross and remember that they may not be as fast as you’d like, especially the little ones. Try not to pass other vehicles in the school-zone.
4. Watch out for the School Bus: When the bus lights are flashing, remember that kids could be getting off and darting about. They have a reduced sense of danger and are usually in an excitable, energetic state after the long bus ride.
5. School parking-lot: If you have to visit the school, park outside if possible and walk across, because the school lots are congested and it’s quite stressful to watch newbie drivers reversing and negotiating turns! 

Tips for Parents

1. Teach your child the rules: As soon as they’re old enough, make your child aware of road safety rules and the hazards of the road. They should cross only at designated areas, obey the crossing guard, and never come out from behind a parked vehicle. They should never play on the street after getting off the bus/car.
2. Set a good example: Talk to your kids while you’re out walking on the streets. Show them the crossing areas, curbs, traffic signals, policemen, road markings etc and lead by example. Don’t break rules yourself and expect your kids to learn the right thing.
3. Cycling: If kids are cycling to school, insist on protective gear. They should ride only on designated bike paths and avoid driving at night. While crossing a road, it’s better to walk the bike across than ride.
4. Railway crossings: if your kids must cross rail-tracks, ensure that they know the safety rules.
5. Distractions: Talking on phones, texting, grooming, eating, drinking or chatting with co-passengers are to be avoided.

Bus Rules: As accidents usually happen off the bus, ensure that your kids are at the stop at the right time, neither too early nor late. They should walk at least 3m in front of the bus while crossing in front of it, and never from the rear. Inside the bus, children should never “horse around” or be out of their seats. Never put heads/arms out of windows, and avoid fighting, eating, drinking, playing inside. Obey the driver always. 

How we can Assist 

Teachers, bus-drivers and school staff have a duty of care to children during school hours, since parents are legally obliged to ensure that kids are in school until the age of 16. It’s assumed that schools play the role of prudent, substitute parents during school-time. If your child is injured while at school, after attending to medical matters, seek immediate legal advice. Our personal injury lawyers can assess the case and represent you in all matters of seeking rightful compensation. Our car accident lawyers can collect relevant evidence and assist you to negotiate with insurance companies. A free consultation injury lawyer provides the right advice and takes up the case if you so wish later.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333.