Back to school road safety reminders

Although the summer season is far from over, summer holidays for most Shropshire students is coming to an end – and as we all know, the school year comes with a substantial increase in morning and evening traffic.

Shropshire Council’s road safety team is giving the following advice:

Reminders for motorists

• Please allow an extra 10 or 15 minutes for your morning commute.  The extra time will not only reduce stress but help keep our roads safer.  Drivers are less likely to speed or engage in other dangerous driving habits when they aren’t running late.
• Slow down – watch for children walking in the road, especially if there are no pavements.  
• Watch for children playing and gathering near bus stops and be alert – children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.

Reminders for pedestrians and cyclists

• If you are moving up to a new school then plan your journey and allow yourself plenty of time.
• Take time to check out the route that you will be taking to school including any potential hazard points along the way.
• Make sure you wear bright clothing, and preferably reflective or fluorescent items.
• Now is a good time for cyclists to make sure your bicycle is in good working order, and wearing an approved cycle helmet is recommended.

Pupils using a school bus should always:

• Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early.
• Stay well clear of other traffic while the bus is moving off.
• Wait until the bus moves off and the road is clear in both directions before crossing.

Councillor Claire Wild, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

“The roads always get busier when the kids go back to school, so it’s important to stay aware and take that extra bit of care to make sure you’re driving safely.”