Drive Safely Around Schools and Neighborhoods

By Ben Glass, Esquire

Benjamin W. Glass and Associates

. https://www.benglasslaw.com/

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Drive Safely Around Schools and Neighborhoods

You remember those hot summer months in elementary school? Kids today may not play outside as much as we did, but there's no denying that burst of energy you get as a child when the winter's gone and the weather finally turns around. Winter was particularly nasty here in the Washington Metropolitan area, and the sunshine is very welcome, but we should all keep an eye out for young pedestrians now that the grass is greener.

With that in mind, here are some tips to keep kids protected on the sidewalks and roads this spring

Come to a full stop at stop signs.

We're going to skip the obvious stuff like “obey speed limits” and go straight to one that I bet some of you have been guilty of in the past year rolling stops at stop signs. Please come to a full stop and check twice for kids who may be running around. It really takes just one more second of your life, which I think you'd agree is a pretty good trade.

Watch for bicycles.

This is a big one, and, if you've experienced a tragedy like this in your life, my heart goes out to you. Kids mean well, but they haven't been trained in traffic laws, and many are inexperienced riders. Keep an eye out for bikers and skateboarders, and keep in mind that some may dart into the road from the grass or sidewalk.

Stop texting and driving.

I see so much of this every day right here in Northern Virginia that honestly I feel much less safe on the roads than I did five years ago. Talking on the phone and having your mind distracted while driving is one thing. Having your mind and your eyes distracted while texting and driving is, I'll be frank, a fatal driving decision. Make a personal life choice to not text while driving, and make a habit of it.

As someone who knows a lot about the car accidents that occur in this area, I can assure you that you can make a huge impact on our community's safety, even as just one driver. Stay safe and enjoy the weather.