School’s in Session: Traffic Ramps Up, Accidents Increase

Staying safe on the roadway this fall

Have you noticed a big uptick in freeway traffic the past couple of weeks? That’s because school’s back in — and with it comes increased traffic and more people out on the roadways. This means yellow buses jamming the streets, pedestrians darting to and fro, and busy professionals rushing to get their morning coffee and on to work. Here at Power Legal Group, we urge you to take extra care on the roadways this September and beyond.

The LA Times reports that 260 people in the LA area alone were killed in traffic crashes, an increase of 43 percent from 2015. As of spring 2017, fatalities were 22 percent higher than in the same period of 2016.

The most dangerous month of the year to drive nationally is August (when many kids go back to school) and the most dangerous day to drive is Saturday.

However, in the Los Angeles area, the most dangerous day and times to drive are between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. rush hour on Friday. Makes sense: everyone’s trying to get home from work to start the weekend. Unfortunately, late afternoon is also when older kids and teens are coming home from their after-school sports and extra-curricular activities. Keeping an extra diligent eye out for kids and other drivers is the first step to keeping yourself and everyone else safe.

Back to School Safety Tips

It’s more important than ever to slow down and concentrate on the road when driving, now and all year through. And remember: most children are hit by motor vehicles within school zones. In addition, the area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for kids, so be sure to stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus, advises the National Safety Council.

• For parents: know the school’s safe drop-off and pick-up procedures. Don’t unload your kid right in front of the school on a busy street.
• Never double park because it can obstruct visibility for children and vehicles.
• Get into a carpool to reduce the number of cars on the roads around schools.
• Always be on alert: kids tend to be erratic and may dart in front of you at any moment.
• Never pass a bus that’s stopped with its STOP sign extended.
• Never block a crosswalk when stopped at a red light. This will force walkers to go around you, putting them into other paths of traffic.
• Yield or stop for pedestrians when you see flashing lights in a school zone.

More Solutions

Despite the many PSAs and safety warnings out there regarding staying safe behind the wheel, accidents are still happening at an alarming rate.

LA-area city officials are proposing a delay in start times for schools throughout the region in an effort in part to cut down on teen car accidents  — often caused by rushing to get to school on time in the morning. The idea behind the bill is to allow kids to sleep a bit later in the morning, with one positive by-product of the bill being to reduce the congestion on city roads by pacing out the morning commutes.
According to CBS Los Angeles, 400 other districts across the United States have adopted later start times, to the tune of better grades for students and dramatically better attendance/tardy rates. Incidentally, in those regions, car accidents (the top killer of teenagers in America) have decreased, along with the incidence of sports injuries, obesity and drug use.

Contact Power Legal Group

Accidents can happen in an instant, leading to severe injuries or even death. The grief and trauma of such an event is compounded when a child is involved. It’s not worth rushing to work or school. Go slowly and get there safely. The children of your community will thank you!

If your child has been the victim of a pedestrian hit and run, motor vehicle accident or bicycle accident, seek medical attention immediately then call Power Legal Group at 800-323-POWER for your free initial consultation. You need assistance from a personal injury law firm with extensive resources and relentless lawyers to secure the compensation you deserve.

Download Our Auto Accident Guide