The end of the summer season means that children in Pennsylvania will soon be returning to school. As a motorist, it’s important to be aware of the presence of young people walking or biking to class during the early morning and late afternoon hours. You’ll also need to be aware of any school buses in your vicinity and be prepared to stop multiple times on your way to work or other destinations.
You can’t assume that kids are paying attention
It’s fairly common for young children to wander into the street to chase a ball or say hello to a friend. It’s also not uncommon for kids of any age to listen to loud music or play on their cell phones while walking in or close to traffic. Therefore, you need to spend extra time scanning the road near school zones or other areas where young people may walk or bike.
Slow down while driving in the dark
Although the days tend to be relatively long in September, you may still find yourself driving during periods of low light. This may be especially true if you are driving on a morning where rain or fog is present. In some cases, this may mean that you’ll need to travel below the posted speed limit to ensure that you don’t collide with a child or parent accompanying a child to school.
Know the school bus rules
If a school bus stops, you generally must stop as well. You should also scan for children who need to cross the street to get from their home to the bus itself. Finally, you should never try to overtake a bus on a road that doesn’t have a passing lane as it could increase the risk of a motor vehicle accident occurring.
If you’re in an accident that results in injury or property damage, you may be eligible for compensation. To obtain an award, you’ll need to show proof that the other driver was impaired, distracted or otherwise acting negligently when the wreck happened.
