It's Back to School Time!

August 25, 2023 – With the 2023-24 school year soon getting under way and students returning to campuses and classrooms across most of Maryland and the District, transportation will undoubtedly be impacted. AAA reminds drivers and all road users to get back in the mindset of seeing school kids in our neighborhoods and buses on the roads, with a particular focus on safety.

Back-to-school transportation affects not only school districts, students and parents, but also other drivers on the roads. This time of year is particularly dangerous due to the combination of young inexperienced drivers, school buses, and student pedestrians and bicyclists, all sharing the road. Plus, schools across the region resume class on different dates, so drivers may encounter different situations as they drive through multiple counties/states.

“Drivers may be out of practice when it comes to the rules of the road, with school buses hitting the streets and students walking and biking to school,” says Ragina C. Ali, spokeswoman for AAA Mid-Atlantic in Maryland and Washington, D.C. “While traffic patterns may change, the responsibility for keeping students safe does not. It's important that all drivers, as well as students, remain alert and follow basic precautions for a safe return back to school.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), all 50 states and the District of Columbia have a law that makes it illegal to pass a school bus with its red flashing lights on and its stop-arm extended.

AAA offers the following tips as the new school year gets under way:

Drop-Off/Pick-Up Safety Tips

• Follow school drop-off and pick-up procedures, and be mindful that these may have changed.
• Don’t double park. It blocks visibility for other children and vehicles.
• Don’t load or unload children across the street from the school.
• Have children exit the vehicle on the “curb side” every time (so they aren’t opening the car door into an oncoming traffic lane or crossing around the front/back of car to get to curb)
• Slow down, eliminate distractions, and watch for children.

School Bus Safety Tips

• Always Stop for School Buses – Flashing yellow lights on a school bus indicate it is preparing to stop to load or unload children and motorists should slow down and prepare to stop. Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on and off. Drivers are required to stop their vehicles and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop sign is withdrawn and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again. It’s the law and can result in a hefty fine if you don’t.

Note: Maryland law requires motorists from any direction to stop when a school bus is stopped along a roadway, picking up or letting off passengers, with the stop arm and signal lights activated. Drivers should not proceed again until the bus is back in motion. Violation of these laws will result in a $250 fine if caught on camera, and up to $570 and a three-point penalty on a driver’s license if stopped by a police officer.

• Keep Track of Time – Be aware of the time of day you’re on the road and how that coincides with the school day. More school-age pedestrians are killed from 7 to 8 a.m. and from 3 to 4 p.m. than any other hours of the day.
• Slow Down – Whether in a school zone or residential neighborhood, drivers should keep their speed low and be prepared to stop quickly for increased vehicle or pedestrian traffic.
• Come to a complete stop – Always come to a complete stop, checking carefully for children on sidewalks and in crosswalks before proceeding.
• Eliminate distractions – Research shows that taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles your chances of crashing. Children can be quick, crossing the road unexpectedly or emerging suddenly between two parked cars. Reduce risk by not using your cell phone while driving.
• Obey Traffic Signs and Signals – Unfortunately, many motorists violate stop signs in school zones and residential neighborhoods, with many failing to come to a complete stop, rolling through a stop sign or not slowing down at all. Motorists are also running red stoplights, putting pedestrians and other motorists at risk.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

• Cross only at corners so drivers can see you. Never cross between parked cars or mid-block.
• Use a crosswalk when it’s available. Don’t assume that because you can see the driver, the driver can see you. Always use caution when crossing.
• Look all ways before crossing. Look and listen for cars, pedestrians and bicyclists.
• Once you have confirmed traffic has stopped, cross when the light indicates it is safe to cross without further hesitation so you have time to cross safely.
• Use the crosswalk push-button signal when possible, and cross when the signal allows.
• Watch for cars that are turning left or right when you are crossing.
• Walk on a sidewalk when it is provided. If you must walk in the street, walk facing traffic, on the left side of the road and as far to the left as possible.
• Make it easy for drivers to see you – dress in light colors, wear reflective material or use a flashlight.
• Remove headphones and don’t use cell phones or electronic devices when crossing the street.
• Watch for white lights on the rear of vehicles, signaling backing up in driveways or parking lots.
• Avoid walking alone. Walk with a friend.

AAA Bicycle Safety Tips

• Make sure your child has the skills to ride a bike safely, such as riding in a straight line and signaling to vehicles when turning.
• Choose the safest route to bike to school, one with less traffic and slower speeds. Use bike paths if they are available.
• Make sure your cyclists understand traffic safety rules, such as riding in the same direction as traffic and stopping at all stop signs and signals.
• Explain the importance of wearing a bike helmet to your child. They’re critical to minimizing injury in case of a crash. According to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, wearing a helmet can reduce the odds of head injury by half.
• Ride focused and alert. Never use earbuds or electronics while riding.

“Whether it is in designated school zones or on streets throughout town, everyone needs to remain vigilant – put down the phone, focus only on the road, and pay attention to help students get to and from school safely,” says Ali.

Appreciating our Educators

In addition to our safety messaging, AAA is offering a significantly discounted new Membership for educators to help minimize the risk of driving to and from school. The offer (50% off Primary Classic or Plus Membership and 1 Free Household Membership) applies to all academic faculty and staff members – including teachers, administrators, custodial staff, and school bus drivers. Additional household drivers can be added at a 50% discount.

“We know that our teachers often use their own funds to purchase school supplies and other classroom needs. The AAA Educators Plus discount is just a small token of our appreciation for those who educate our youth and go the extra mile year round,” Ali says.

According to a 2019 poll of Maryland State Education Association members, in the previous year, 94% of Maryland educators paid for school supplies out of their own pocket, an increase over the 91% who said the same in 2018. To obtain the Educators Plus discount, call 1.866.MEMBERS (1.866.636.2377).