Getting your children to school safely is a primary concern for parents. The media highlighting the number of students being struck while trying to get to school or back home has brought up some important points about safety in this aspect of life.
It is imperative that drivers realize that the onus can’t be placed on the children to remain safe. Drivers must put kids’ safety first while they are traveling around town. It is easy to put the blame on parents when a child gets hit. However, even having an adult present can’t prevent accidents that involve cars careening toward the kids.
Walking or riding the bus?
It is often said that riding the bus is the safest way to get children to school. These large vehicles were designed and built with safety in mind. They have high back seats, a bright color, flashing lights and warning devices. One huge safety risk that seems to be commonplace these days is that drivers don’t abide by the laws that forbid them from passing a stopped school bus that is letting children on or off. Drivers traveling both ways must stop for buses so that children can cross the street safely if necessary. When drivers don’t do this, they can slam right into the kids. This can be fatal.
Children who walk to school aren’t immune from risks. Cars can jump the curb and hit kids on sidewalks. Some drivers don’t pay attention to the crosswalks, which means children who are crossing and who have the right-of-way may be struck. It is imperative that children who walk to school have proper supervision. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that most children aren’t ready to do this alone until they are at least 10 years old, which is approximately the fifth grade.
What happens when an accident occurs?
When an accident occurs, the children who are struck will likely need medical care. It is a good idea to have them checked by a medical professional even if they aren’t showing signs of a serious injury. Parents need to watch them closely for signs of a brain injury or other hidden injuries in the days and even weeks after the incident.
Ultimately, parents might opt to seek compensation from the driver who struck their child. This can help them to recover the damages related to medical care, the parent’s missed work and other expenses caused by the accident.