Back-to-School Safety: A Critical Reminder for Trucking Industry Drivers
As we approach the start of the school year, employers with commercial drivers must prepare for a seasonal shift in road conditions. With students returning to classrooms, school buses back on the roads, and children walking or biking to school, the risk of pedestrian-related incidents increases — especially for children ages 5 to 14, where pedestrian-vehicle injuries remain a leading cause of death.
This is a crucial time to reinforce safety protocols and ensure drivers are equipped to navigate school zones and residential areas with heightened awareness.
Essential Safety Tips for Truck Drivers
1. Know Your School Zones
Familiarize yourself with school zones and crosswalks along your regular routes. Accidents are more likely to occur on familiar roads where drivers may become complacent.
2. Stop for School Bus Lights
Always stop for school buses with flashing red lights — it’s the law in every state. Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop, so proceed with extreme caution.
3. Respect Crossing Guards
Crossing guards often have the same authority as traffic police. Disobeying them can result in serious consequences. Stick to main roads where guards and crosswalks are present, and avoid side streets where children may be unsupervised.
4. Anticipate the Unexpected
Children often misjudge the speed and distance of vehicles. Always be prepared to brake and slow down in areas where children are present.
5. Watch for Parked Vehicles
Children may be hidden behind parked cars, especially SUVs. Be extra cautious when driving through residential areas or near schools.
6. Use Headlights During the Day
Driving with headlights on in pedestrian-heavy areas can reduce accidents by up to 25%, according to AAA.
7. Avoid Distractions
Never use hand-held or hands-free devices in school zones. Refrain from any activity that takes your attention off the road — including reading maps or adjusting music.
8. Avoid Reversing Near Children
Backing up in areas with children is risky due to blind spots. If possible, plan routes and stops to minimize reversing.
9. Obey Speed Limits
Most school zones have a speed limit of 25 mph when children are present. Adjust your speed for weather and visibility conditions.
10. Don’t Honk at Children
Honking can startle children and cause them to trip or fall into traffic. Use your horn judiciously and only when absolutely necessary.
11. Understand School Bus Laws
Laws vary by state, but generally, you must stop for a school bus loading or unloading — regardless of which side of the street you’re on. Also, be aware that buses often stop at railroad crossings.
A Startling Statistic
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), school buses are illegally passed about once per day — sometimes even on the right side, where children enter and exit. This underscores the importance of vigilance and strict adherence to traffic laws.
Supporting Safety with Smart Compliance Tools
At Craig Safety Technologies™, we’re committed to helping fleets stay safe and compliant year-round. Our easy to use software, Compliance Safety Manager™, streamlines driver hiring using The Hiring Path™, digitizes the management of driver qualification files, and provides tools for ongoing driver monitoring — giving safety personnel the tools they need to stay ahead of compliance challenges.
Whether you’re preparing for the back-to-school season or managing ongoing operations, Compliance Safety Manager™ helps ensure your fleet is operating safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with FMCSA regulations.
Let’s work together to make this school season safe for everyone — especially the children who depend on us to protect them.
Want to learn how Compliance Safety Manager™ can help you maintain a safe and compliant fleet?