Today marks the first day of school for many Iowa students. As kids and their parents settle back into their routines the roads might look a bit different than they did during the summer months. While most people think of encountering school traffic in the city, near schools, you need to be school-aware in residential areas and out in the country. Even if you aren’t personally a part of the school traffic, you still need to be aware of the changes happening around you.
There are several steps you can take to make sure your driving keeps students of all ages safe:
- Obey school zone speed limits - slower speeds give you more time to react if children run into the road.
- Stop for school buses - It’s illegal to pass a bus with its stop arm out, even if you're going in the opposite direction in some situations.Unsure when you need to stop? Check out this handy resource on the Iowa DOT’s website.
- Obey crossing guards - When a crossing guard steps into the intersection with their stop sign, stop until all the children cross and the guard clears the intersection.
- Dropping-off or picking-up? Avoid using school parking lots if possible - It can be difficult for children to see vehicles leaving parking spots or for drivers to see children behind or around other vehicles, especially in bad weather. Use designated drop-off or pick-up areas when they are available.
- Limit distractions - Put your phone out of reach, avoid eating or drinking, and keep your windshield, side mirrors, and rearview mirrors clean so you can see little ones that may be around you.
Both drivers and pedestrians have an important role to make sure everyone gets home safely to the ones they love each day. Check out this video for more tips on how to stay safe as we ease our way back into school.
In 2024 in Iowa, 195 people have been killed in traffic crashes. That’s an increase of 13 since last Friday. In Iowa in 2023, there were 377 traffic-related deaths. To see statistics published daily by the Office of Driver Services, go to the daily fatality report at https://www.iowadot.gov/mvd/stats/daily.pdf