Georgia Injury Lawyers Blog
Believe it or not, it’s that time of year when kids return to school. This means more traffic during rush hour and school buses traveling our roads. While it can be an exciting time of year, it’s important to recognize the potential dangers.
The personal injury attorneys at Slappey & Sadd have been helping accident victims in the Atlanta area and across the state of Georgia since 1992. No matter what kind of accident you’ve been in, we have the experience and knowledge to help you get the compensation you deserve. If you’d like to discuss your case with one of our personal injury attorneys, call us at 404-255-6677 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
Many children are lucky to be able to walk or ride their bikes to school. While this is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy your neighborhood, you should be mindful of the obvious dangers. Be sure to educate your kids so that they know how to get themselves to and from school safely:
- Stay on the sidewalk whenever possible
- Cross only at designated crosswalks, preferably ones with crossing guards
- Look both ways before crossing the street
- Assume that drivers cannot see you, even when visibility is good
- Understand that intersections are very dangerous for both pedestrians and cyclists
- Make sure your child’s bicycle is equipped with reflectors or safety lights
Pedestrian and bicycle safety becomes especially important as the days get shorter. The setting sun and fading light can make it difficult for motorists to see what is right in front of them.
Bus Stop Safety
For those of you who have children who ride the bus, it’s important to educate them on how to be safe while at the bus stop. Inattentiveness, horseplay, or a lack of awareness of the potential dangers can create a serious hazard for children while waiting for the bus. Make sure your child understands the following:
- Stay out of the street at all times
- No pushing
- No horseplay that could result in another child falling into the roadway
- Stay at least 5 to 6 feet away from the curb.
- Do not cross the street until the bus driver indicates that its safe
- Always cross in front of the bus – do not walk behind the bus where the driver cannot see you
- Phones are a distraction – put your phone away so that you can be aware of your surroundings
You can hopefully rest a little easier by teaching your children how to be safe at the bus stop, but more importantly, you could also prevent a serious accident.
School Drop Off and Pick Up
If you drive your child to and from school, resist the temptation to avoid the “kiss and ride” line. Follow your school’s rules for drop off and pick up by doing so only the designated areas.
What You Can Do as a Driver
If you travel through residential areas and school zones as part of your daily routine, it’s important to recognize a few things that you can do to help prevent accidents:
- Drive defensively. Children are unpredictable. Be prepared for the unexpected.
- Obey the speed limit. School zones have lower speed limits for a reason, but those are in effect only in the area immediately surrounding the school. Do your part to keep the neighborhood streets safe.
- Be mindful of the weather and visibility. As the days get shorter, some kids are going to school at dawn and returning near dusk. Weather can also affect visibility, but can also make it difficult to stop suddenly. Be mindful of these factors and adjust your driving accordingly.
Has Your Child Been Injured? Contact the Atlanta Personal Injury Attorneys at Slappey & Sadd
If your child has been injured, their future is at stake. Let us help you get the compensation they need to make sure they have the opportunities they deserve. Call us at 404-255-6677 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation to discuss how we can help you.