Driving near a school can be nerve-wracking, especially for new drivers. There are hordes of parents dropping off their kids at school while several others are pulling out of the parking lot. There are children crossing the streets heading into the school compound as well. If you are a new driver, you can easily get overwhelmed.
Here are some tips for driving in a school zone for new drivers.
Always Drive Slowly
It is better to be safe than sorry, and this should be your mantra as a new driver driving in a school zone. Unpredictable occurrences are common in an area where so many children are crossing the street at the same time. It is advisable to lower your speed, even below the speed limit as an extra safety measure.
Understand and Obey Speed Limits
Unlike other roads, school zones have unique speed limits. If you are driving in a school zone, watch out for all the speed limits that govern driving in school zones. Often, school zones have speed limits of between 5 to 10 miles per hour.
Watch Out for Rush Hours
Avoid driving through school zones at specific times. For example, there is significant traffic in school zones in the morning when children arrive for their day in school and in the afternoon when they break to go back home. If you must pass through a school zone, you can leave early or wait for the traffic to end before you drive through.
Pay Utmost Attention to Stopping School Buses
School zone driving requires utmost alertness. If you notice a school bus slowing down or making a stop, you should also prepare to stop. The school bus could be slowing down and later stopping to pick up schoolchildren. Give the bus enough time to pick up children before it moves, and then you can also start moving at a safe distance behind the bus.
Be Considerate of Pedestrians
Watching out for pedestrians is one of the most critical tips for driving in a school zone. If you are a new driver, you will notice that a lot of people linger around the school grounds. At the same time, these people will be walking and crossing the streets on foot to get to where they are going. You should drive slowly and leave enough room before each crosswalk to keep these pedestrians safe.
Enroll in a Comprehensive Driver’s Education Program
You can get your driver’s ed in Arlington, TX, at EasyDriversEd. Our team will guide you on how to drive safely in a school zone (and everywhere!).