By Nancy Ross-Anderson 

With more than 25 million children riding school buses to and from school each day, back-to-school season means commercial fleets must share the road with bicyclists, buses and families driving to and from school.^[1] 

As roads become busier, drivers must bring increased vigilance and caution — particularly when navigating residential areas and school zones — to prevent accidents. Now is the ideal time to remind your drivers of the importance of staying alert and aware while driving through school areas.

5 common school area hazards for fleets

Navigating school zones and residential neighborhoods from September to June presents various challenges for commercial drivers. From residential neighborhoods with limited visibility to student drivers on the road for the first time, here are five best practices for navigating common hazards: 

1. Be extra vigilant in school zones.  

School zones extend several blocks around a school and typically include poles with flashing lights to indicate a reduced speed limit. Educate your drivers to always look for signs listing school zone hours.

In a school zone, children are more apt to dart into traffic to cross the street or bike in the neighborhood. Even if the area doesn’t appear visibly busy with pedestrians, drivers must still be trained to slow down, follow the speed limit, constantly scan all mirrors and stop for buses with flashing yellow or red lights or an extended stop arm.

2. Understand bus routes and stops. 

During the school season, increased school bus traffic will be on the road, making frequent stops to pick up and drop off students. It’s not only illegal to pass a stopped school bus when its lights are flashing and the stop arm is activated, but it can also be deadly. Look for kids, either walking or biking, on their way to the bus stop.

Depending on specific routes, school buses may impact plans and timing for carriers. Perform some due diligence; research if driver routes intersect with frequent school bus stops. Most school bus routes are published online. If not, call the school and ask for their bus timetable.

3. Slow down in residential areas. 

Using major streets or populated highways during the school year is always optimal; however, it’s not always possible when schools have varying schedules, such as year-round programs or trimesters.

If your drivers have no option but to travel through a residential area, slow down and look for children playing, biking or walking. When driving between 7–8 a.m. and 3–5 p.m., drive cautiously past playgrounds, school grounds and other areas where kids gather. If stopped behind a bus, leave at least 20 feet between your truck and the bus — so students can safely enter, exit and cross the street.

Lastly, allow extra time for routes that pass through residential areas. School buses and increased traffic will slow down travel — and all buses will stop at railroad crossings, which can add additional minutes to the route.

4. Be patient at intersections.  

Intersections are notoriously tricky, especially when located near schools and heavily populated residential areas. Expect increased pedestrian traffic and anticipate that students could dart out in front of you at intersections. For drivers making right turns, avoid blocking the crosswalk so children can safely navigate the intersection.

5. Prepare for increased road traffic.

As the school year begins, school buses aren’t the only sign of students returning to the classroom — so are new drivers. Many students take their first session of drivers’ training in the fall, resulting in many new teens on the roads.

Be patient when encountering inexperienced drivers practicing their skills for the first time. Look for signs and stickers that say new student driver, give them plenty of space and stay alert.

In addition to young drivers, prepare for an influx of bicyclists on their way to and from school. While bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles, they’re far more difficult to spot. Avoid common collisions by waiting for bicyclists to pass before making a left- or right-hand turn.

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