Daily Herald opinion: Remember road rules — and driver decency — when navigating back-to-school traffic

If you’ve grown accustomed to not worrying about school safety zone signs over the summer, it’s time to pay better attention when you get behind the wheel: Kids are back in school, which means more buses, pedestrians and congestion near schools.

National Highway Safety Administration statistics show that from 2012 to 2021 there were 998 fatal school-transportation-related crashes, with 1,110 people killed. Over half of the pedestrians killed were between 5 and 10 years old — an age group that can be easily distracted whether walking to school or enjoying the playground.

That’s why keeping students safe should be top of mind for every driver.

To prevent tragedies, we must all start with a refresher course on the rules of the road — and the rules of common decency.

After all, that stop sign extended from a school bus is not a suggestion: It’s a way to protect children climbing on and off. And hurrying around it because you’re late to work could lead to tragedy.

Here are some other important reminders from the National Safety Council:

• It is illegal to pass a bus stopped to load or unload passengers. If lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, sit tight.

• Put some distance between yourself and a school bus.

• Be alert. Kids can be unpredictable and you need to be ready if they dart into the road, whether they’re waiting for a bus, walking to school or biking.

• Always yield to pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks. Don't block the crosswalk. If you do, pedestrians will be forced to go around you, possibly putting them in the path of moving traffic.

• Always stop for a crossing guard holding up a stop sign.

• Don't honk or rev your engine to get a pedestrian’s attention, even if you have the right of way.

• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.

• When passing a bicyclist, move slowly in the same direction, leaving at least three feet between your car and the bike.

• Watch for bike riders turning without signaling or, frankly, not looking at their surroundings. Kids don’t always think before they act.

• When you make a turn, yield to bikers and make sure you use your turn signal.

• Watch for bikes exiting driveways or popping out from behind or between parked cars.

• Check side mirrors before opening your car door so you don’t hit a biker with it.

If you have a child in school, spend some time getting to know drop-off and pick-up rules. Saving your kid a few steps — yes, even if it’s raining — isn’t worth backing up car lanes or putting other children at risk.

And organize a carpool, advises the National Safety Council. You’ll reduce your own driving time, help ease frustrating car lines at school and earn eco-friendly extra credit.

If we all do our part, we can make the 2024-25 school year a safe one.