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334-333-3333School is back in session across Montgomery and the River Region, and that changes the roads you drive every day. Buses roll through neighborhoods at sunrise, crossing guards step into intersections, and kids walk, bike, and dart toward campus with backpacks bouncing. Teen drivers head to school parking lots for the first time all summer. Mornings and afternoons get crowded fast, and a few seconds of inattention can turn an ordinary commute into a serious crash.
A little extra caution protects children and keeps you out of a wreck you never saw coming. If a careless driver does hurt you or someone you love this school year, an experienced Montgomery car accident lawyer can explain your options and deal with the insurance company while you focus on recovery. Here are the back-to-school driving safety habits that matter most on Alabama roads.
The calmest drivers are the ones who are not in a hurry. Leave a few minutes earlier than you think you need to, especially in the first weeks when traffic patterns are still settling. Map out a route that keeps you clear of the worst pickup lines, so you are not making sudden turns in front of pedestrians. In the drop-off lane, pull all the way forward, follow the staff directing traffic, and never double-park or wave your child across the lane. A little planning takes the pressure off, and unhurried drivers make fewer of the mistakes that lead to crashes.
School zones are busy, unpredictable places, and the posted speed limits exist because young pedestrians are hard to see and quick to move. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency urges drivers to slow down in school zones and residential neighborhoods, watch for children on foot and on bikes, and follow every direction a crossing guard gives.
Give yourself a buffer so you are not tempted to rush. Treat the blocks around any campus as slow zones from the first bell to the last, and scan the sidewalks, driveways, and gaps between parked cars as you roll through. Children move in ways adults do not expect, and the extra seconds you spend watching for them can prevent a tragedy.
The school bus is still one of the safest vehicles on the road, but children face the most risk in the moments they get on and off. That is why Alabama, like every other state, makes it illegal to pass a stopped bus while its stop arm is out and its red lights are flashing. Passing a stopped bus is one of the most dangerous choices a driver can make during the school year.
Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is about to stop, so ease off the gas and get ready to halt. Red flashing lights and an extended stop arm mean children are getting on or off. When you see red, stop your vehicle and stay put until the lights turn off, the stop arm folds in, and the bus begins moving again.
The area right around a bus is where kids are hardest to see. Leave plenty of space when you stop, and never try to squeeze past a bus that is loading or unloading. A child crossing in front of the bus may not see you, and you may not see the child until it is too late.
A quick text, a playlist change, or a glance at a map pulls your eyes off the road for seconds you cannot take back. During school hours, those seconds line up with kids stepping off curbs and buses braking without warning. Set your phone out of reach, sort out your coffee and your route before you pull away, and keep both hands ready for a sudden stop. Staying focused is the simplest way to avoid a school-season crash.
Fall brings new teen drivers into busy pickup lines and tight parking lots, and inexperience tends to show at the worst moments. The CDC reports that teens ages 16 to 19 have a fatal crash rate nearly three times as high as drivers 20 and older, per mile driven. That risk is highest right after they get their license.
Give young drivers space, expect the unexpected near campuses, and model the calm, focused driving you want them to copy. If you have a teen of your own, a short conversation about phones, seat belts, and speed goes a long way this time of year.
Not every child walking to school is paying attention to traffic, so you have to pay attention for them. Slow down near crosswalks, come to a full stop when a pedestrian steps off the curb, and never wave someone across when you cannot see whether another lane is clear. Early mornings and late afternoons bring the heaviest foot traffic around schools, so stay especially alert when the sun is low, and glare makes small figures hard to spot.
Even careful drivers cannot control everyone else on the road. When a negligent driver causes a school-season crash in Montgomery or anywhere in Alabama, the experienced attorneys at The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers can fight for the money you may deserve while you focus on healing. Founded by Stewart E. Vance, the firm gives every client personal, hometown attention from a team that knows the River Region and treats your case like it matters.
You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain, and you do not pay us anything unless we get money for you. You can also see how we have helped injured Alabamians on our recent case results page.
“Working with Mrs. Vickie Todd made this injury pleasant. She took her time answering all of my concerns, and the five stars I gave are well deserved. I would recommend anyone going through an accident to the Vance Law Firm.”
Gregory M.
Contact us today for a free consultation.