Sober driving is a great start but make sure you also avoid distracted driving. With many schools opening back up for a new school year soon, bus routes may return to your area. It's important to drive safely to protect everyone. 

School Traffic Data

There were 264 school-age children killed in school transportation related accidents from 2008-2017. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the greatest risk to a child isn’t riding a bus, but approaching or leaving one. That's really scary, but it's a stat all of us can help improve.  

Drunk drivers aren't the only dangers on the roads

Distracted drivers and people in a rush, among other groups, can also make the roads very dangerous. Make sure you allow extra time in your commute. When buses stop to pick up students, you and other drivers need to stop too.

Be a good role model for younger drivers

In addition to school buses, you're also sure to see another group of vehicles on the road that could use a little extra patience and caution. TEENAGERS. NEW DRIVERS. We can all spot them. They don't also make perfect driving decisions, and they annoy us with their loud music. But they're watching us. Whether they admit it or not, they're watching and learning. Hopefully you're a good role model when they watch you. 

Tips to help drivers keep the roads safe during school commutes

• Red flashing lights mean stop — and wait at least 20 feet behind the bus — because children are getting on or off the school bus. Stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving.

• Yellow flashing lights mean slow down — don’t speed up — because the bus is preparing to stop. There are likely students waiting to get on the bus or parents waiting nearby to pick up children. 

• Even when lights aren’t flashing, watch for children, particularly in the morning or mid-afternoon, around school arrival and dismissal times. Be alert as you back out of a driveway or drive through a neighborhood, school zone, or bus stop.

Be a sober, safe, patient driver to help protect everyone on the road

We work hard each day to help keep the roads safe by separating drinking and driving. Do your part to keep our roads safe! If you struggle monitoring your alcohol consumption and worry about how that can affect your driving, please contact us at Smart Start of Louisiana to see how our ignition interlock device products can help.