This year’s Take Your Family to School Week takes place from February 11-17. The National PTA plans the event around February 17, which was when the organization was founded in 1897. ER Injury Attorneys would like to contribute to the event by sharing safety tips to avoid accident injuries during the commute to and from school. Below are valuable safety tips from our Las Vegas injury lawyers that will make your family’s school commute safer.
Take Your Family to School Week: Prevent Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Car Accidents
Take Your Family to School Week is an excellent time to emphasize the importance of safety on your childrens’ school commutes. Whether you’re dropping off your child by car, walking them to school, or they’re biking, here are vital safety tips from our Nevada injury attorneys that will help you avoid pedestrian accidents, bicycle crashes, and car wrecks.
5 Ways to Make Walking to School Safer
- Use Crosswalks: always cross the street at marked crosswalks, obeying any pedestrian signals. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing to ensure they see you.
- Stay Visible: wear bright or reflective clothing, especially if it is dark or during a rare Clark County rainstorm. Carrying a flashlight can also help make you more visible to drivers.
- Walk on Sidewalks: whenever possible, walk on sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk and you have to walk on the road, walk facing traffic so you can see oncoming vehicles.
- Avoid Distractions: many kids love listening to music on their Beats by Dre headphones or checking their favorite social media apps on their phone. Just like drivers, pedestrians should keep their heads up and phones down. Be aware of your surroundings and listen for car horns, sirens, or other indications of approaching vehicles.
- Supervise Young Children: hold hands with younger children and teach them to look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.
5 Crucial Tips for Kids That Bike to School
- Wear a Helmet: a properly fitted helmet is a must-have for every bike ride, regardless of the distance. Ensure the helmet meets safety standards and is worn correctly.
- Follow the Rules of the Road: bicyclists should follow the same rules as vehicles when it comes to stopping at stop signs, obeying traffic lights, and signaling turns.
- Be Visible: equip bicycles with front and rear lights and reflectors, and wear bright clothing. Make sure you’re seen by drivers, pedestrians, and other cyclists.
- Use Bike Lanes: whenever available, use bike lanes. If riding in the street, ride in the same direction as traffic to increase visibility and predictability.
- Teach Hand Signals: ensure your child knows and uses the appropriate hand signals for turning and stopping. This communication is crucial for safe interaction with motor vehicles, pedestrians, and other bikers.
Driving Your Kids to School? Remember These Safety Measures.
- Buckle Up: ensure everyone in the vehicle is properly buckled up, with children secured in age- and size-appropriate car seats or boosters. Seat belts save lives and are your first line of defense in a crash.
- Avoid Distractions: distracted driving is a huge problem in Las Vegas. Distractions come in many forms, from mobile phones to noisy backseat debates. Some drivers even apply makeup or shave while driving. Keep your eyes focused on the road and both hands on the steering wheel.
- Respect School Zones: school zones have reduced speed limits for a reason. Drive slowly and be prepared to stop quickly for crossing guards, buses, and children crossing the street.
- Drop Off Safely: use designated drop-off zones. Do not double park or drop children off across the street from the school. This forces them to weave between cars, increasing the risk of an injury.
- Be Patient: schools are busy places during the mornings and afternoons. Rushing only increases your risk of an accident. Leave early to allow plenty of time to get to school without speeding.
Take Your Family to School Week is more than a chance for community engagement–it’s a prime opportunity to review your family’s safety practices and to instill safe commuting habits that protect our families. By following these tips from our Nevada injury lawyers and fostering a culture of safety, we can make the school commute safer for everyone involved. Let’s make safety a top priority, not just during this special week, but every day of the year.
Injured During a School Commute? Contact ER Injury Attorneys.
Unfortunately, some accidents will happen no matter how many safety tips you follow. If someone in your family was injured while commuting to school, then contact ER Injury Attorneys for immediate assistance. Our knowledgeable and skilled Nevada injury lawyers can help you receive the highest compensation possible for injuries caused by the negligence or recklessness of another party.
The team at ER Injury Attorneys is available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can reach us by phone at 702-878-7878 and online through LiveChat or encrypted contact form. Our firm represents injury victims throughout Southern Nevada, including Henderson, Summerlin, Pahrump, Boulder City, Laughlin, and beyond. To get the settlement you deserve combined with renowned customer service, contact ER Injury Attorneys today.