Sharing the Road

With the start of the school year, the roads become more crowded. School buses are busy picking up students, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to class, and parents are making their drop-offs before heading to work. It’s crucial for drivers to reduce their speed and stay vigilant, particularly during the busy times before and after school.

If You’re Dropping Off

Schools often have specific drop-off procedures in place for the safety of all students. Familiarize yourself with these rules to help keep everyone safe. Here are some general guidelines for all school zones:

• Avoid double parking, as it blocks visibility for other drivers and children.
• Don’t load or unload children across the street from the school.
• Consider carpooling to reduce the number of vehicles in the drop-off area.

Sharing the Road with Young Pedestrians

According to the National Safety Council, most children involved in bus-related fatalities are between 4 and 7 years old, often while walking. These incidents usually happen when a child is struck by a bus or by a driver illegally passing a stopped bus. To keep young pedestrians safe:

• Don’t block crosswalks at red lights or while waiting to turn, as this forces pedestrians to walk around your vehicle and into the path of moving traffic.
• When in a school zone with flashing lights, always stop and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or intersections.
• Obey school patrol officers and crossing guards holding up stop signs.
• Be extra vigilant in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in residential areas.
• Avoid honking or revving your engine to intimidate pedestrians, even if you have the right of way.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.
• Use extreme caution to avoid hitting pedestrians, regardless of who has the right of way.

Sharing the Road with School Buses

When driving near school buses, increase your following distance to allow more time to stop when the bus’s yellow lights begin flashing. Remember, it is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.

• Never pass a bus from behind or from either direction on an undivided road when it is stopped to load or unload children.
• When the bus’s yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, all traffic must stop.
• Maintain a safe distance—at least 10 feet—from a stopped school bus to give children enough space to safely enter and exit.
• Stay alert, as children can be unpredictable and may not be aware of surrounding hazards.

Sharing the Road with Bicyclists

Bicyclists share the same rights and responsibilities as drivers on most roads, but they can be difficult to see, especially children who may not fully understand traffic conditions. The most common cause of collisions is a driver turning left in front of a bicyclist.

• When passing a bicyclist, drive slowly and leave at least 3 feet between your vehicle and the cyclist.
• Wait for bicyclists to pass when turning left if they are approaching from the opposite direction.
• When turning right, allow bicyclists approaching from behind on the right to go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals.
• Be cautious, especially with children who may turn without signaling or looking.
• Stay vigilant in school zones and residential areas.
• Watch for bikes emerging from driveways or behind parked cars.
• Check your side mirrors before opening your car door.

By exercising extra care and caution, drivers and pedestrians can safely share the road in school zones.

If You’re Dropping Off

Schools often have specific drop-off procedures in place for the safety of all students. Familiarize yourself with these rules to help keep everyone safe. Here are some general guidelines for all school zones:

• Avoid double parking, as it blocks visibility for other drivers and children.
• Don’t load or unload children across the street from the school.
• Consider carpooling to reduce the number of vehicles in the drop-off area.

Sharing the Road with Young Pedestrians

According to the National Safety Council, most children involved in bus-related fatalities are between 4 and 7 years old, often while walking. These incidents usually happen when a child is struck by a bus or by a driver illegally passing a stopped bus. To keep young pedestrians safe:

• Don’t block crosswalks at red lights or while waiting to turn, as this forces pedestrians to walk around your vehicle and into the path of moving traffic.
• When in a school zone with flashing lights, always stop and yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or intersections.
• Obey school patrol officers and crossing guards holding up stop signs.
• Be extra vigilant in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in residential areas.
• Avoid honking or revving your engine to intimidate pedestrians, even if you have the right of way.
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.
• Use extreme caution to avoid hitting pedestrians, regardless of who has the right of way.

Sharing the Road with School Buses

When driving near school buses, increase your following distance to allow more time to stop when the bus’s yellow lights begin flashing. Remember, it is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.

• Never pass a bus from behind or from either direction on an undivided road when it is stopped to load or unload children.
• When the bus’s yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, all traffic must stop.
• Maintain a safe distance—at least 10 feet—from a stopped school bus to give children enough space to safely enter and exit.
• Stay alert, as children can be unpredictable and may not be aware of surrounding hazards.

Sharing the Road with Bicyclists

Bicyclists share the same rights and responsibilities as drivers on most roads, but they can be difficult to see, especially children who may not fully understand traffic conditions. The most common cause of collisions is a driver turning left in front of a bicyclist.

• When passing a bicyclist, drive slowly and leave at least 3 feet between your vehicle and the cyclist.
• Wait for bicyclists to pass when turning left if they are approaching from the opposite direction.
• When turning right, allow bicyclists approaching from behind on the right to go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals.
• Be cautious, especially with children who may turn without signaling or looking.
• Stay vigilant in school zones and residential areas.
• Watch for bikes emerging from driveways or behind parked cars.
• Check your side mirrors before opening your car door.

By exercising extra care and caution, drivers and pedestrians can safely share the road in school zones.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association