To me summer is still in full swing but to Ellen my wife it’s winding down as her first teachers’ meeting is today! So, it is probably a good time to start thinking about some travel safety tips as students start heading back to school in Northeast Ohio.

While safety tips for kindergartners and college students can be very different it is important for everybody to follow the appropriate rules of the road.

If you have younger children, it does not matter if they walk, ride their bicycle or take the bus to school, it is important that they know how to get there safely. Practice walking and biking to school together and continue to remind them of the rules of the road. For bus riders, accompany them to the bus stop and show them how to safely get on and off the bus, reminding them to always stay at least six steps away from the curb. For carpoolers or parents who drop their kids off at school, set an example by obeying school zone speed limits and following your school’s drop-off procedures.

Many High Schoolers are driving to school and while the summer months are considered the 100 most dangerous days for teen drivers (see my previous blog from June 19^th 2023) these may be the first days of driving during “rush-hour”. Young and inexperienced drivers should be reminded to slow down and avoid distraction from phone calls and text messages to friends in the back seat, distractions are everywhere. Encourage your teen to be mindful behind the wheel. Down the road, your student may earn a discount on your premium for their safe driving habits.

While college students may be away from home safe driving habits do not stop. If your child is not taking a car to school there may be a premium credit available to you. If your child is taking a car to school you may want to notify your agent where the car will be located, if the child is permitted to let friends drive the car or not. And don’t forget to remind them to avoid distracted driving!

Now for back-to-school tips for empty nesters, yes, we need to be aware of the changes in traffic that school days bring. School buses picking up their passengers, kids on bikes hurrying to school before the bell rings and hurried parents dropping their kids off before work, just to name a few. It’s never more important for drivers to slow down and pay attention than when kids are present — especially before and after school. Even if you don’t have any kids in school, it’s crucial to practice safe driving techniques, especially in school zones and around buses. The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus, and never pass a bus while it is stopped to load and unload children. Be extra careful when driving through school zones, near bus stops and at intersections with crossing guards. If you live or work near a school zone, be on the lookout for kids crossing the street outside of marked crosswalks, and parents dropping their kids off.

Controlling loses and limiting risk is paramount in any insurance program so before you renew or purchase your next policy contact the Trusted Choice Agents at Richey-Barrett Insurance.