Clark County School District welcomed back students last week. If you are driving in Clark County, then this article is for you! Here, we provide our smartest back to school safety tips for drivers.
We hope the below discussion helps you make safe driving choices in Las Vegas. If a driver injures you in a Las Vegas area accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will help to protect your rights and ensure you receive maximum compensation.
Time is of the essence when pursuing compensation in car accident cases. Don’t delay—have our Las Vegas accident lawyers review your case. Sometimes people avoid contacting an accident lawyer because they worry about cost. You don’t have to worry about affordability. Our attorneys don’t get paid unless they win your case. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Our Smartest Back to School Safety Tips for Drivers
The 2022 school year is already off to a bright start. If you are a Las Vegas area driver, take a minute to study our smartest back to school safety tips for drivers.
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Exercise Patience
The beginning of the school year changes the routine for everyone. There are usually more cars, buses, pedestrians, and bicyclists out on the road during peak travel times. This can be a chaotic and stressful time for anyone commuting. The best way to deal with the change is to exercise patience.
If you feel stressed during your commute, try turning on calm music and taking a few deep breaths. Remember, it is okay to pull over and give yourself a driving break. Simply find a safe spot and take a few minutes to help yourself calm down.
Give Yourself Extra Commute Time
The start of the school year means more traffic and potentially slower traffic depending on your route. When you head out in the morning or are driving home from work you should allow for extra commute time. Especially if your schedule coincides with the school schedule.
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Slow Down
School zones have slower speed limits. In Nevada school zones, the speed limit is either 15 or 25 miles per hour. These speed limits are in effect on school days from half an hour before school begins to half an hour after school ends.
In Nevada, some areas use flashing yellow lights to indicate when the speed limit is in effect. These lights may be turned off during hours students are actually in classes. If so, the speed limit then reverts to that posted for non-school hours.
School zone speed limits help everyone stay safe. Even on days when school is not in session you should still slow down and proceed with caution in areas where children may be present.
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Look Out for Children
This may be our most obvious tip, but it is also our most important tip. If you are driving during the school year, you should look out for children. This means anywhere children may be present including:
- Schools
- Neighborhoods
- Street crossings on school routes
- Bus stops
- Parks
- Playgrounds
- Libraries
- Rec centers
- Childcare centers
Watch for children in these areas, especially before and after school. Keep in mind that children do not act like rational pedestrians. According to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles:
- Children can understand basic safety rules, but they do not have the judgment to cope with traffic until at least age 10.
- Children assume that if they see the driver, the driver sees them.
- They cannot judge speed and think cars can stop instantly.
- Children are shorter than adults and cannot see over cars, bushes, and other objects.
- They often act before thinking. Children may not do what parents or drivers expect.
Stop for School Crossing Guards
In Nevada, children are not the only people that must obey school crossing guards. Under Nevada law, drivers must obey school crossing guards. Violating the direction of a school crossing guard is a misdemeanor. Per Nevada Revised Statute 484B.350, drivers:
- Shall stop in obedience to the direction or traffic-control signal of a school crossing guard; and
- Shall not proceed until the highway is clear of all persons, including, without limitation, the school crossing guard.
Stop for School Buses
In addition to school crossing guards, drivers must also stop for school buses. Under Nevada Revised Statute 484B.353, all drivers are required to stop for school buses when:
- Students are boarding and departing.
- The bus is displaying its flashing red lights.
On divided highways with a median or other physical barrier, traffic moving in the opposite direction does not have to stop.
The greatest risk to a child is approaching or leaving a school bus. This means that the smartest choice you can make around a school bus is to be cautious and stay alert for children.
Avoid Bus “No-Zones”
If you are a driver, you should also be cautious when passing busses. Keep in mind that if a bus driver cannot see you, the possibility of a collision is greatly increased. The best way to avoid a bus crash is to avoid bus “No-Zones.” According to the Nevada Driver Handbook, the “No-Zone” is the area around buses where cars “disappear” into blind spots.
Look Behind You
Children are everywhere. Any time you are reversing out of a parking spot, you should look behind you and then look again. Drive slowly when backing out of driveways and parking spots.
Practice Safe Driving
The smartest drivers are the safest drivers. You can practice safe driving with the following tips:
- Wear a seat belt. Wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of getting seriously injured or dying in a crash by 50 percent.
- Protect your passengers. Make sure children are properly restrained in appropriate car seats.
- Drive sober. Impaired driving is the number one cause of motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
- Pay attention. Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers.
EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
We hope you have a safe school year. If another driver injures you in a Las Vegas area accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Some people wonder why they need a personal injury lawyer to help them.
Award-winning law firm Anthem Injury Lawyers is a team of experienced and dedicated personal injury lawyers. We are based in Henderson, Nevada, and serve clients throughout the Las Vegas area. When we say we offer personal injury law experience, we mean over 25 years of experience. This is the combination of knowledge and expertise you need to win significant compensation as a victim in a Las Vegas area accident.
It’s important to select a Las Vegas attorney that can put you in the best position to win your case. That’s why you need to speak with Anthem Injury Lawyers. Our experts offer you the best opportunity to win top compensation. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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