As the summer winds down and another school year begins, it is up to everyone in the community to keep our children and streets safe. The back-to-school hustle and bustle not only impacts parents, but anyone on the road. Buses making frequent stops, rushed parents dropping off their kids off at school and distracted children walking or biking their way to class before the bell rings all lead to traffic, congestion and a spike in accidents. The unfortunate reality is not every child will make it to-and-from school safe and sound.
According to the research, more than 15,000 children are injured by a vehicle while walking each year in the U.S.[i] and 12,850 injuries occur from school bus-related crashes per year.[ii] Rhode Island has its own alarming statistics. Recall last May 2024 when there were three (3) school bus accidents in Cranston, New Bedford and West Greenwich over the course of only two (2) days.
Sheeley Law has issued these Back to School Safety Alerts and Tips to help ensure that this school year starts off on a positive note for everyone. As always, if you or your child were involved in an accident, do not hesitate to contact us. We’re here to guide and protect you every step of the way.
Bus Safety Alert:
While bright yellow school busses are designed for safety with their flashing lights, massive mirrors, stop-sign arms and bus monitors, accidents do happen. According to the National Safety Council, “the majority of children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, and they're walking to or from school when they are hit by a bus or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus.”[iii]
Motorists must be extra cautious during the school year. Remember, Rhode Island law requires drivers to stop for a school bus when its lights are flashing. Other ways you can avoid an accident are to:
Keep Your Distance. In fact, you should keep a greater distance behind a bus than if you were driving behind a car. Busses make frequent stops that you may not be prepared for. The more space between you and the bus, the more time you will have to stop once the yellow lights start flashing.
Don’t Pass. It’s illegal to pass a bus from behind or from any direction, even if you on a road without line dividers.
Pay Attention! Never drive distracted and remember that if red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop in all directions. If you are on a two-lane highway, vehicles in both lanes must stop for a school bus.
Practice Patience. Getting stuck behind a bus making multiple stops can be frustrating, especially when you are rushing to work or to an appointment. During the school year, allow yourself extra time to get to and from your destination.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Alert:
One of the most common causes of back-to-school accidents involves children walking to and from school. In an alarming report, “Alarming Dangers in School Zones,” nearly 80% of students observed did not cross the street safely.[iv] It’s not surprising that the research found technology to be a major factor of distracting behavior and accidents. Out of the teens observed being unsafe, 44% were wearing headphones, 33% were texting and 18% were talking on the phone. Staying alert is key to avoiding accidents. Parents should remind children to use crosswalks, always look both ways, and keep their heads up and phones down.
Many children ride their bikes to school, especially in neighborhoods where schools are close by. This creates special problems for drivers because kids are typically unaware or not paying attention to traffic conditions. If your child rides a bike to school, make sure they wear a properly fitting helmet. Not only can this simple precaution significantly reduce the risk of head injury, but it’s also the law in Rhode Island for riders 15 years old or younger. Also, make sure your child’s bicycle is in good working condition with properly inflated tires and functioning brakes, and has working reflectors to ensure they are visible on the road.
Driver Safety Alert:
If you are driving your kids to and from school, make sure you know the specific drop-off procedures for the school year. You should also know that the following rules should apply in every school zone:
Slow Down. Always adhere to the speed limits in school zones.
Wait Your Turn. The morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up rush is a highly congested time of day. It’s important for the safety of all students that the process is orderly.
Don't Double Park. It blocks your visibility of other children and vehicles.
The same study mentioned above also uncovered that many school zones are not as safe as they should be with speed limits above the recommended 20 miles per hour (mph) and/or not being enforced by police officers. In addition, they observed schools with missing crosswalks, as well as branches, trees and bushes blocking important signage. If you notice a school lacking in safety precautions, speak up to your town/city officials!
Speed Cameras: Controversial as they may be, speed cameras are permitted by Rhode Island state law to encourage drivers to slow down and protect students and other pedestrians from accidents, injuries and wrongful deaths. They are often placed in school zones, many of which are active from August 15th through June 30th, Monday through Friday, from 7am - 6pm. Drivers who are caught on camera traveling 11 mph or more over the speed limit are subject to a $50 fine that they receive later in the mail.
Conclusion:
Back-to-school season should be a time of excitement and learning, not accidents and injuries. Paying attention to these safety alerts can prevent a lifetime of trauma and regret. If an accident does occur and results in injury, it’s important to seek legal advice promptly. As a personal injury lawyer with 30 years of experience helping accident victims in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts obtain maximum compensation for their losses and suffering, Sheeley Law is here to help you navigate the legal process and ensure your family’s rights are protected. Contact Attorney Ann Sheeley at 401-619-5555 or asheeley@sheeleylaw.com.
Sources
[i] Safe Kids Wordwide. https://www.safekids.org/blog/things-you-need-know-you-head-back-school
[ii] National Safety Council (NSC) tabulations of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/school-bus/
[iii] NCS. Slow Down: Back to School Means Sharing the Road. https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/school-safety/back-to-school-safety-tips-for-drivers?
[iv] Safe Kids Wordwide. https://www.safekids.org/sites/default/files/alarming_dangers_in_school_zones.pdf
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