Back to School Traffic Safety: Protecting Students and Drivers
Author, Jadyn Brandt, Client Communications Coordinator, Rancho Mesa Insurance Services, Inc.
August marks the start of a new school year and an increase of traffic risks for company drivers. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports motor-vehicle fatalities often increase in the month of August. Daily driver routes can be impacted by new drivers, students on e-bikes, and school zones. It is important to prepare and train company drivers for potential hazards they will face on the road.
As children and teens head back to school, campuses and neighborhoods will see an increase in pedestrian traffic. Drivers should be aware of children crossing the road, sometimes unexpectedly, and be prepared to stop quickly if needed. School zones also have slower speed limits than other parts of the neighborhood and drivers should be prepared to follow all additional school-zone laws. Morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times will be especially busy, and organizations should be reminding their drivers to remain alert at all times.
Company drivers should also be aware that they will be sharing the roads with inexperienced teen drivers and students riding bikes, e-bikes, scooters, and skateboards. Drivers and riders with limited experience can make unpredictable moves on the road. Educating employees on defensive driving tactics can help prepare them to avoid hazards and prevent possible accidents.
The best type of safety training is proactive, not reactive. Preparing company drivers before school resumes is key to enforcing safe habits on the road. Building and implementing a fleet safety program is a necessity to train new drivers and remind seasoned employees of proper driving habits. A fleet safety program can include trainings on defensive driving, route planning, and avoiding distractions to help reduce the risk of collisions.
Rancho Mesa provides clients with a number of fleet safety resources in the SafetyOne™ website and mobile app.
SafetyOne Resources:
Comprehensive Online Driver Safety Training
52 Driver-Specific Toolbox Talks
Automobile Accident Report
Register to watch our on-demand webinar “Building a Fleet Safety Program with Rancho Mesa’s Tools and Resources.”
For more information, contact your client technology team.