A new school year is just around the corner, meaning frantic mornings trying to get everyone out the door and to school (and work) on time. In the hustle and bustle, you may be impatient and hurried. Careless driving is especially dangerous near school zones where there are plenty of kids milling about. According to the National Safety Council, most incidents involving kids happen in close proximity to a school.

The start of the school year presents many obstacles to drivers; there are plenty of pedestrians, bicyclists, cars, and buses. In your rush to get your children to school by the time the bell rings, consider adding additional time for your morning commute and follow these back to school safe driving suggestions:

Pedestrians

Before and after school, sidewalks and streets are filled with children.  Kids can be unpredictable and unaware of their surroundings or the risks. Many kids lose their lives in bus and car incidents while walking. Be on alert for sudden movements and school zone traffic safety laws . Here are some additional safe driving tips to help keep everyone safe:

• Do not pass a vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians
• When you’re in a school zone and the flashers are blinking, you must stop and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks or intersections.
• Do not block the crosswalk while waiting at a red light or preparing to turn.
• You must always stop for a crossing guard or school patrol officer who is holding a stop sign.
• Always use extra caution and be on the look-out for children around schools, playgrounds, parks and residential areas.

Bikes

Kids on bikes are even more of a challenge. They can go fast, make sudden movements and come out from seemingly nowhere. Kids on bicycles, like pedestrians, do not always follow traffic rules and can be oblivious to their surroundings. Here are some school safety driving tips to help you avoid hitting hard-to-see bicyclists:

• Be extra careful and watchful for bicyclists near schools, parks, and residential areas. Be on alert for bicyclists coming from in between parked cars and driveways.

• When you’re making a left-hand turn and notice a bicyclist coming from the opposite direction, let the bike pass before turning. In fact, most bike and car incidents happen when vehicles are turning left.
• If a bicyclist is coming from behind you and you’re turning right, leave at least 3 feet of space ( on the side of the road and allow the bike to pass before you turn.
• Anticipate sudden movements and child riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling.
• Check your side mirrors before opening your car door and always use your turn signals.

Busses

You can’t complete the back to school chaos without buses. Yes, buses can be slow and you sure don’t want to be behind one when it stops to pick-up or drop off kids. Kids die in school bus-related incidents at drop-off and pick-up sites every year. Most of these are a result of kids getting struck by cars going around buses. Here are some tips to help you avoid such tragedies:

• You must always stop when a school bus’s yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop sign arm is extended. This is a law in every state.
• Never pass a school bus after it has just dropped off kids.
• When stopping behind a school bus, stay at least 10 feet away so children can safely enter and exit the bus.
• Be alert and extra cautious as it is not uncommon for kids to run out onto the street around a bus stop.

Other drivers:

Though you can’t control the driving behaviors of others, you can do your part in driving defensively to avoid a crash.  Be patient and don’t assume their movements. Chances are they are just as harried as you are. You won’t make things better if you’re impatient and drive aggressively. On the contrary, that behavior will make it more dangerous for everyone. Here are some tips to help you drive more defensively around other drivers:

• Leave a safe following distance in case the car in front of you has to stop suddenly.
• Don’t pass a stopped car
• Avoid trying to squeeze by cars to make a right-hand turn.
• Don’t honk out of frustration. Other drivers are likely to be just as stressed out as you are and honking may make matters worse.

Also keep in mind that there may be teen drivers taking their siblings to school. These new drivers may not be familiar with driving in traffic or with kids around. They may be extra cautious, so be sure to give them the benefit of the doubt.

For some driving techniques, drivers education, or adult drivers ed, visit us at 911 Driving School before you head out on the road.

Back to School Driving

A new school year is just around the corner, meaning frantic mornings trying to get everyone out the door and to school (and work) on time. In the hustle and bustle, you may be impatient and hurried. Careless driving is especially dangerous near school zones where there are plenty of kids milling about. According to the National Safety Council, most incidents involving kids happen in close proximity to a school.

The start of the school year presents many obstacles to drivers; there are plenty of pedestrians, bicyclists, cars, and buses. In your rush to get your children to school by the time the bell rings, consider adding additional time for your morning commute and follow these back to school safe driving suggestions:

Pedestrians:

Before and after school, sidewalks and streets are filled with children.  Kids can be unpredictable and unaware of their surroundings or the risks. Many kids lose their lives in bus and car incidents while walking. Be on alert for sudden movements and school zone traffic safety laws . Here are some additional safe driving tips to help keep everyone safe:

• Do not pass a vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians
• When you’re in a school zone and the flashers are blinking, you must stop and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks or intersections.
• Do not block the crosswalk while waiting at a red light or preparing to turn.
• You must always stop for a crossing guard or school patrol officer who is holding a stop sign.
• Always use extra caution and be on the look-out for children around schools, playgrounds, parks and residential areas.

Bikes:

Kids on bikes are even more of a challenge. They can go fast, make sudden movements and come out from seemingly nowhere. Kids on bicycles, like pedestrians, do not always follow traffic rules and can be oblivious to their surroundings. Here are some school safety driving tips to help you avoid hitting hard-to-see bicyclists:

• Be extra careful and watchful for bicyclists near schools, parks, and residential areas. Be on alert for bicyclists coming from in between parked cars and driveways.

• When you’re making a left-hand turn and notice a bicyclist coming from the opposite direction, let the bike pass before turning. In fact, most bike and car incidents happen when vehicles are turning left.
• If a bicyclist is coming from behind you and you’re turning right, leave at least 3 feet of space ( on the side of the road and allow the bike to pass before you turn.
• Anticipate sudden movements and child riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling.
• Check your side mirrors before opening your car door and always use your turn signals.

Busses:

You can’t complete the back to school chaos without buses. Yes, buses can be slow and you sure don’t want to be behind one when it stops to pick-up or drop off kids. Kids die in school bus-related incidents at drop-off and pick-up sites every year. Most of these are a result of kids getting struck by cars going around buses. Here are some tips to help you avoid such tragedies:

• You must always stop when a school bus’s yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop sign arm is extended. This is a law in every state.
• Never pass a school bus after it has just dropped off kids.
• When stopping behind a school bus, stay at least 10 feet away so children can safely enter and exit the bus.
• Be alert and extra cautious as it is not uncommon for kids to run out onto the street around a bus stop.

Other drivers:

Though you can’t control the driving behaviors of others, you can do your part in driving defensively to avoid a crash.  Be patient and don’t assume their movements. Chances are they are just as harried as you are. You won’t make things better if you’re impatient and drive aggressively. On the contrary, that behavior will make it more dangerous for everyone. Here are some tips to help you drive more defensively around other drivers:

• Leave a safe following distance in case the car in front of you has to stop suddenly.
• Don’t pass a stopped car
• Avoid trying to squeeze by cars to make a right-hand turn.
• Don’t honk out of frustration. Other drivers are likely to be just as stressed out as you are and honking may make matters worse.

Also keep in mind that there may be teen drivers taking their siblings to school. These new drivers may not be familiar with driving in traffic or with kids around. They may be extra cautious, so be sure to give them the benefit of the doubt.

For some driving techniques or classes, visit  https://911drivingschool.com/ before you head out on the road.

It’ summertime! Time to pack up the vehicle and head out into the great unknown. Whether it’s a quick trip over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house or a cross-country drive to a new destination, there are several steps you should take to stay safe on the road.

 Here is a list of four simple things you can prepare to ensure safer travel.

• Check your tires to ensure they are in good traveling condition. Worn tread, tire baldness or bulging could mean big trouble on the open road.
• Know how to check the basic function of your vehicle. Check the oil, windshield wipers, antifreeze levels and all lights inside and outside of the vehicle before the trip. Prevention is always the best answer.
• When going cross-country, or on an unfamiliar route, plan your gas station stops well. No one wants to run out of gas in the hot summer weather.
• Drive defensively. You probably drive safely, but that doesn’t mean the other drivers will. Expect the unexpected. Always keep your eyes on the road, never text or operate the GPS, and do not let others in the car distract you from your greatest responsibility- Arriving to your final destination safely!

Always remember to buckle up, and never drink and drive. Have a fun time on your summer travels. For some driving techniques, or a refresh on your drivers education, before you head out on the road, feel free to contact us.

During the dark and dreary days of winter, many of us long for the warmth of the sun. We dream about summertime and its abundance of pleasures, such as backyard barbecues full of good friends and delicious food, lazy days spent by the pool, endless warm nights, and copious amounts of perfectly chilled watermelon.

For some, summer is the time to dust off the old bicycle. No longer confined to the boxes we call cars, free to roam the streets on two wheels with the sun on your face and wind in your hair. No matter how glorious this may be, it comes neatly wrapped in a package of potential danger. However, bicyclist tend to be aware that vehicles dominate the road, it is the person operating the vehicle that is often unaware of laws that come along with keeping the two-wheeled pedestrians safe.

This summer is no different than any other. As you drive to work, the grocery store, friends and family homes, you will see many happy bicyclists along the way. So, let’s keep them that way, happy. Or more importantly, alive. “It’s a two-way street” most certainly applies in this situation, but keep in mind that operating a 2-ton vehicle compared to 20 pounds of aluminum is not much of a competition. The vehicle will always win that fight.

Keep these 9 rules in mind while sharing the road with bicyclist:

1. Know Bicyclists’ Rights – Often drivers have little or no idea what traffic laws apply to someone riding a bike. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that “cyclists 10 years and older should behave as though they were vehicles on the street, riding in the same direction as other traffic that’s going their way and following the same traffic rules”

2. Adjust Your Attitude – Stop and think about the fact that it is an actual human being on that bike before you let your impatience get the best of you. What if that person was one of your loved ones? Cyclists are not mere objects, but people, just like you

3. Consider the Benefits, for You, the Driver – When someone chooses to ride their bike, for you, that means less traffic, less congestions, and less pollution, all things that come along with driving a car

4. Be Aware When Making a Right Turn – When making a right turn be especially aware of any surrounding cyclists. Often they will be a little behind and to your right, and may be planning to ride straight ahead. Use your turn signal at all times and watch for the proper signal from the cyclists, which is the left hand raised in a squared position, or an extended right hand

5. Be Aware When Making a Left Turn – A bike can easily get to 15 – 20 mph speeds. Often when a collision happens during a left turn the driver didn’t realize that the cyclist was going that fast. Rule of thumb: when in doubt, yield

6. Three Feet Clearance – Motorists are required to give bicycles on the roadway at least 3 feet of space. More than 20 states have actually passed this law. This helps give both cyclist and motorist a concrete frame of reference. Besides giving a cyclist space, pass them slowly and smoothly. Speeding up to pass them quickly can be unnerving to the cyclist

7. Look Around (Not at Your Phone) – When it comes to bicycle injuries, the motorist almost always says “I never saw him before I hit him.” Paying attention to your surroundings is driving 101, but unfortunately we can get distracted or lose focus on what is going on around us. Always be aware of who and what is around you, never “check” your phone, and take mental notes when a cyclist is within your vicinity

8. Check Your Mirror When Exiting Your Car – Someone who is riding their bike down the street is going to stay as far out of the middle of the road as possible. This means that they are passing parked cars closely. Make sure you look before you open your car door to be sure that you don’t cause an impact between your door and the cyclist

9. Bicyclists Are Here to Stay – This goes back to the yearning for summertime. Bikes have been around for centuries and will continue to be a part of this human life. The term “it’s like riding a bike” didn’t come along for nothing. Make peace with the biking masses for everyone’s safety

Keeping the roads safe starts with you. You cannot be responsible for anyone else, only yourself, so make sure that you are doing everything you can to lessen the possibility for accidents. Whether you are the one enjoying a summer day on your bike or the motorists passing by, keep your eyes open, follow the traffic laws, and you’ll be doing your part to keep our streets a safe place to travel on.

For more driving tips, and for drivers education courses, please reach out. We’re here to help make you the best driver you can be.

Once your teen can drive, you want them to say “yes, mom and dad, your incredibly safe and airbag filled minivan IS cool, I wouldn’t want to drive anything else,” but we all know that is not the case. Not to worry, there are plenty of cars out there that have been designed to handle wear and tear, are cost effective, and more importantly very safe.

Here are a few things to consider when the day comes that you buy a vehicle for your teen driver:

• Bigger = Safer – Heavier automobiles are safer and will typically win in a time of  a collision. Larger vehicles such as SUV’s can be a wise choice for your new driver

• Avoid high horsepower –  Plain and simple – they just don’t have the experience to understand how this kind of power effects a vehicle and are likely to not know how to safely operate them

•  Electronic stability – This technology has been mandatory in vehicles since 2012. It automatically helps maintain stability while navigating the terrain. There is proof that this technology has reduced fatal crashes nearly by half.

The fatal rate for teenagers is 3 x times higher than all other drivers. However, within the past 10 years, the safety requirements for vehicles have improved tremendously. The industry has been required to improve the safety aspects of all their vehicles.  Any parent will worry regardless, but there are reliable and safe vehicles available that can help put your mind at ease.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released a list of vehicles, which they have categorized into “good choices” and “best choices.” This shows the best large cars, midsize cars, small SUVs, midsize SUVs, large SUVs, minivans, and pickups in both the “good choices” and “best choices” categories, all of which start under $20,000.

Make sure your child gets a proper driving education and plenty of supervised road time. Giving them the necessary skills to know how to navigate in the world of driving is the only way to truly help them stay safe on the road.