A new school year is an opportunity to learn the best practices to keep our kids safe as they travel to and from school. Here are some tips to ensure a safe journey for everyone.
Riding the Bus
School buses are the safest way to get to and from school. They help reduce the number of vehicles on the road and provide the highest level of safety.
Help kids learn to always:
- Remove their backpacks and put them on the floor at their feet while riding the bus.
- Look both ways before crossing the street to get on the bus. Oncoming vehicles may not see them crossing.
- Cross in front of the bus so the bus driver knows where they are.
- Follow the bus driver’s instructions and rules.
Driving to School
Drivers can protect kids in and out of the car:
- Make sure all passengers buckle up. Seatbelts save lives!
- Put your phone away during your drive. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of vehicular crashes. The road deserves your full attention.
- Obey speed limits. Slow and steady allows everyone to get to school safely.
- Stop for school buses.
Not sure when to stop? Check out this guide from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Education:
Child Passenger Safety
Drivers are key to keeping all kids in the car safe, including the ones who are in a carpool:
- State law requires all children under 2 to remain in a rear-facing car seat, ideally until age 4.
- Children ages 2-4 must use a car seat with a harness (rear or forward-facing). It’s best to keep a child harnessed until they can sit properly in a booster seat 100% of the time.
- Kids under age 13 must ride in the back seat! State law requires all children to ride in the back seat to protect them from the front airbag.
- State law requires all children to remain in a booster seat until they are at least 4’9” tall and correctly fit the seatbelt, usually around ages 10-12.
To fit a seatbelt correctly, your child must follow these five steps:
Safe Driving for Teens
Having a new teen driver can be a stressful time for parents. You can encourage safer driving if you:
- Emphasize safe driving practices for your teen and set agreed-upon consequences. Consider using a contract like this one from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Talk to your teen about the top risks for car crashes: distracted driving, speeding, late-night driving, impairment, and buckle up! Learn more at t-driver.com.
- Have your teen download the You in the Driver’s Seat app, which reinforces and rewards safe driving.
Walking or Rolling to School
Reduce the potential for injury by ensuring that kids:
- Wear a properly fitted helmet when using wheeled equipment.
- Always stay on the sidewalk and know their surroundings. Only cross streets at designated crosswalks and look both ways before crossing.
- Stay alert and focused. Use hand signals when necessary.
Want to learn more?
- Car Seat Checks: Meet with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician for a car seat check. Find a local CPST at cert.safekids.org or attend a local car seat check event.
- Car Seat Safety: Learn more about car seat safety atwacarseats.org
- Bicycle Safety: Stay safe while bicycling with these King County resources Bike helmets and bicycle safety – King County, Washington.
- Free or Low-Cost Helmets: Download a list of free or low-cost bike helmet providers.
- Low–Car Seats: Download this info sheet on low-cost car seat options.
- Follow: @kctargetzero.
Originally published 9/18/24