How to Avoid Back-to-School Accidents

Back-to-school season is just around the corner, are you and your family ready? Whether you have kids that are gearing up to go back to the classroom, are a post-secondary student, or simply pass by multiple schools on your daily commute, knowing how to prevent accidents is essential when it comes to minimizing risk and protecting each other At James H. Brown and Associates, we’re proud to share the importance of prevention, just as much as we’re passionate about partnering with injured Albertans when it matters most.

As an active participant within communities across Alberta, including MADD, RADD, Spinal Cord Injury Alberta, and more, James H. Brown and Associates is proud to give back and support the prevention and treatment of personal injuries. Below, we’ll cover a few best practices when it comes to avoiding accidents during the back-to-school season. Read on to learn more!

1. Look Out For Buses

As students return to the classroom, you can expect to see a spike in commuter traffic, particularly where bus routes are concerned. Both city and yellow buses will be operating more frequently, meaning it is extra important to keep an eye out, anticipate sudden stops, and know all road rules pertaining to buses. Stay alert, be diligent, and be aware that the blind spot for larger vehicles can cause issues while commuting.

2. Watch for Students

In addition to looking out for buses, you’ll also want to be extra diligent in watching for children, as well as post-secondary students navigating around schools, major transit centres, and other busy areas. Back-to-school season is a stressful time for those returning to the classroom, as well as those dropping them off, so it’s important to be aware and exercise extra caution while navigating.

3. Leave Yourself Extra Time

Returning to the school time routine can be a challenging transition for students and parents, and with the influx of commuters back on the road, one of the best ways to avoid stress (and reduce accidents) is to leave yourself extra time. Even adding an extra 5-10 minutes as a buffer will give you added peace of mind, lower your chance of feeling rushed and distracted while driving, and help you get where you need to go with minimal risk.

4. Observe Speed Limits/Playground Restrictions

Monitoring your speed is essential regardless of the time of year, but with playgrounds and school areas being busier come fall, it’s even more important to be aware of how fast you’re going and to abide by any posted playground/school zone speed limits. Give yourself the extra time to stop when it matters most, and you’ll greatly increase your chances of avoiding accidents!

5. Navigate School Zones Carefully

Finally, one of the worst places for school zone accidents is pick-up and drop-off areas. When everyone’s focused on arriving or leaving on time, it can be easy to miss other drivers or pedestrians. Avoid stopping in school zones and be extra diligent while navigating to stay on top of risk factors, and if necessary, consider parking a little farther off to give you, and/or your children the space they need to stay safe!

Recovering After An Accident?

Commuter safety is one of the biggest risks facing Albertans in their day-to-day routine; if you or someone you know has recently been injured in a collision or other incident, James H. Brown and Associates is here to help. We know that time is of the essence when it comes to navigating Alberta’s injury, and that’s why our team is ready to speak with you right away. Unlike other major firms in Edmonton and Calgary, the James H. Brown and Associates team is always ready to assist without making you go through a call-centre or complicated in-take processes in your time of need.

Contact us today to speak with a lawyer and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with James H. Brown and Associates.