It is once again time for students to get back to school! And after the extra long break from in-person classes that this year has brought, you may have forgotten some of the rules of the road for when school is in session. We’re here to provide you a little refresher on the best driving practices for this time of year – as well as some discounts student drivers can take advantage of at their neighborhood Chicagoland Jiffy Lube®!
School Zone Driving Safety Tips
- Stop for School Buses
Make sure to keep your eyes open for school buses so that you can stop when necessary. Yellow flashing lights mean the bus is preparing to stop, so slow down, don’t speed up to try and pass the bus. There are likely students waiting to get on the bus, or parents waiting to pick their children up, and you don’t want to risk driving too closely to them. Red flashing lights mean you need to stop, ideally at least 20 feet away from the bus, to allow children to get on or get off. Stay stopped until the bus driver turns the lights off and closes the stop sign arm.
- Watch for School Zone Signs
School zones often include lowered speed limits in order to protect children from speeding vehicles. Make sure to keep an eye out for school zones, and obey all traffic laws in these areas.
- Watch out for School Crossing Guards
School crossing guards are often placed at intersections to protect children where they are most likely to have to cross the road. Watch for crossing guards, and make sure to obey their signals to stop for children in the road.
- Be Aware of Pedestrians and Cyclists
Not all children ride the bus to school; many instead walk or ride their bikes. This means that, both before and after school, you can expect an increase in the number of pedestrians and cyclists. Make sure to keep an eye out for them near schools, bus stops, on sidewalks, and in school parking lots.
- Be Extra Cautious in School Zones
When driving in school zones, it is best to be a little extra cautious when it comes to certain driving habits. Never pass other vehicles while driving in a school zone, and avoid lane changes and u-turns. You should also never text while driving, and only use your cell phone if it is completely hands-free.
We hope this article has been a helpful refresher course for you on the best driving practices during the school year. At Chicagoland Jiffy Lube®, we value our community’s students and student drivers, which is why we offer some special discounts just for them. [Insert Student Driver Discount]. So have your student stop by their neighborhood location today, no appointment necessary.
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