Back-to-School Driving Safety Tips: 7 Ways Maryland Drivers Can Stay Safe This School Year
In just a few weeks, Maryland drivers can expect changes to their morning and afternoon driving routines as students head back to school. Back-to-school traffic and longer drive times likely come to mind, but it’s also important for drivers to consider the many other changes that increase driving safety risks this time of year.
What Changes on Maryland Roads When School Starts
After a summer of fun — like day tripping to Ocean City, fishing on the Severn River, and exploring Annapolis — waking up early is tough on the entire family. Tired drivers and rushed parents are less alert, just when you have more pedestrians and cyclists on the road. It can be a dangerous mix. More stop-and-go traffic from buses making frequent stops, along with congested roads leading into school drop-off lines, add to the risk.
Back-to-school driving safety matters to everyone, whether you’re a parent, neighbor, or commuter.
7 Ways Maryland Drivers Can Be Safer When School Starts
1. Slow Down Even When You're Running Late
Mornings are hectic, and the after-school hustle to get to sports and other activities can be, too. As everyone settles into new routines, falling behind schedule can seem inevitable.
Driving over the speed limit to get back on track can be deadly. Instead, follow the posted speed limit. Even a slight reduction in speed increases your ability to brake in time for a stopping school bus, maneuver around a cyclist, or stop for an unexpected pedestrian.
2. Expect More New Drivers on the Road
Many teens will be driving themselves to school for the first time. Excitement, nervousness, and chatting with friends can be major distractions. Allow them some grace when they may be traveling slower or feeling hesitant. At the same time, stay extra alert for the student who misses a stop sign or thinks they can make it through a stoplight in time. Every driver can play a role in teen driving safety.
3. Stay Alert in School Parking Lots
Expect constant movement in school parking lots, with circumstances changing by the moment. Even with backup cameras, you can’t see every angle, and small children may not be visible below your sight line. Be especially aware of children hopping in and out of cars and dashing here and there without looking.
4. Place Your Phone Out of Reach During School Commutes
It can be tempting to send a quick text with arrival times or to check in with a family member when plans change. Not only is it dangerous, but it is also illegal in Maryland to use a hand-held cellphone while operating a vehicle on a street or highway. If it’s that important, first pull over to a safe place. It may feel like it’s okay to take “just a moment” to check a work email, but every second counts when it comes to back-to-school driving safety.
5. Leave More Following Distance
Leaving extra space between vehicles allows you more time to react if a bus stops suddenly. It also creates a buffer zone if a car ahead of you is forced to stop abruptly due to a child in the road or another driver pulling in front of them impulsively to turn into the school’s entrance. Back-to-school driving safety includes looking ahead several cars and keeping an eye on your rearview mirror to gauge the distance of vehicles behind you.
6. Watch for Children Beyond the Crosswalk
Even when children are old enough to know the rules, they may not follow them. They’re talking with friends, running to get where they’re going, and trying to manage backpacks, lunch boxes and instruments. Any time you see a child who needs to cross a road, take a moment to anticipate their actions.
7. Be Patient and Plan for Buffer Time
A 10-minute door-to-door drive time can easily increase to 15 to 20 minutes the closer you get to a school’s start time. Try leaving home at a few different times to see how traffic is affected. If you live near a school, you may even want to adjust your work schedule to avoid your local morning rush entirely. Even a 10-minute shift can make a difference, leading to less stress for you and safer roads for your community.
What to Do If You're Involved in a Back-to-School Car Accident
- Your first step is to check for injuries and call for an ambulance if injuries are severe or if anyone is having trouble breathing.
- Move to a safer location if it is possible to move the vehicles.
- Call 911 to report the incident.
- Document the scene by taking photographs, when it is safe to do so.
- Exchange contact information and insurance policy details with the other driver(s)
- If someone is injured, consider speaking with an attorney for guidance.
- Report the accident to your insurance company.
- Even if injuries appear minor, seek medical attention to be safe and document any care received.
Have You Been Injured in A Car Accident in Maryland?
No matter how cautious you are, accidents still happen, and sometimes injuries result. If you have been injured in a car accident in Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Prince George’s County or another location in Maryland or Washington, D.C., our team is ready to protect your legal rights and seek potential compensation.