Back-to-school driving safety: Tips for professional drivers

When students head back to school, the road conditions and traffic patterns can change right along with their schedules. School buses return to their regular routes, morning and afternoon traffic may pick up and you might encounter more pedestrians and bicyclists near neighborhoods, intersections and school zones.

For truck drivers, these changes can call for increased awareness behind the wheel. A commercial motor vehicle may take some time and space to slow or stop, depending on factors like vehicle weight, speed and road conditions. Anticipating changes in traffic and maintaining adequate space can provide more time to respond.

Back-to-school driving can come down to a few habits worth reviewing. As the school year gets underway, keep these practices in mind.

Why does traffic get heavier when school starts?

Morning arrival and afternoon dismissal can bring heavier traffic to areas that may have been quieter over the summer. School buses may make frequent stops, parents may slow or pull over for drop-offs and pickups, and traffic can back up around schools and neighborhood entrances.

Give yourself extra time when possible and scan traffic farther ahead. If vehicles begin slowing unexpectedly, there may be a school bus, pedestrian crossing or a school-related traffic pattern that isn’t immediately visible.

Avoid letting congestion create pressure to rush. Maintaining an appropriate speed and adequate following distance can provide additional time to respond when traffic conditions change.

How can truck drivers handle school bus stops?

A slowing school bus is a cue to raise your awareness of the bus and the surrounding area.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), flashing yellow lights mean a school bus may be getting ready to stop to load or unload children. You should slow down and prepare to stop. Flashing red lights and an extended stop arm indicate children are getting on or off the bus.

School bus laws vary by state, including requirements that may apply on certain divided-highway situations, so it helps to know and follow the rules everywhere you operate.

The bus itself is not the only consideration. Pedestrians may be approaching, crossing near the bus or waiting nearby. You should remain alert for children and other pedestrians around school zones and bus stops, including when a school bus is not actively displaying its warning lights.

How can drivers stay alert for young pedestrians and bicyclists?

Children may behave unpredictably around traffic. A child may enter the roadway, move between parked vehicles, or otherwise enter an area where a driver may not expect a pedestrian.

Active scanning is especially important in neighborhoods and around schools and bus stops. Check mirrors regularly, pay close attention when turning, and remain aware of areas around the vehicle that may be difficult to see. The dimensions and configuration of a commercial motor vehicle can create areas where smaller pedestrians and bicyclists may be difficult to observe.

Drivers should use increased caution during morning and afternoon periods when school-related pedestrian and bicycle activity may be higher.

What can drivers do about unpredictable traffic near schools?

School-related traffic can include parents, student drivers and other motorists whose actions may be difficult to anticipate.

A vehicle may stop unexpectedly near a school, change lanes around congestion or brake when a school bus begins slowing. Rather than focusing only on the vehicle immediately ahead, try to scan farther down the roadway to identify developing traffic conditions and allow more time to respond.

How can drivers navigate the fog and mist?

Back-to-school season also overlaps with changing fall weather in a lot of the country. Fog and mist can cut visibility on morning routes, making it harder to spot slowing traffic, pedestrians, bicyclists or a school bus with enough time to react.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) advises commercial drivers to match their speed to visibility, weather, road and traffic conditions. In fog, try to reduce speed before entering areas of reduced visibility and use low-beam headlights rather than high beams.

When you run into fog or mist:

• Consider slowing down. This gives you more time to recognize and respond to changing traffic.
• Consider increasing your following distance. Try to lleave extra room for sudden stops or shifts in traffic flow.
• Using your low-beam headlights can help. This makes others more likely to see you while reducing glare in fog.
• Watch for changing speeds . Traffic may slow quickly as visibility drops, especially around school buses, intersections, and congested areas.

If visibility gets too poor to keep going safely, FMCSA guidance recommends pulling off the road at a safe spot, like a rest area or truck stop, until things clear up.

What are the fundamentals of back-to-school driving safety?

Back-to-school traffic adds more activity to the road, but the fundamentals of safe driving hold steady: stay focused, scan ahead, manage your speed and keep enough space to react.

School buses, children, heavier traffic and changing fall weather can all create conditions that call for extra attention. A few moments of patience can make a real difference.

As students head back to school this fall, let’s all do our part to help make the road safer for everyone.

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Frequently asked questions

When is school bus safety most important?

Drivers should use increased caution during periods when school buses and students are commonly traveling, including morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. Remain alert for school buses, pedestrians and changing traffic patterns. Flashing yellow lights generally indicate that a school bus is preparing to stop, while flashing red lights and an extended stop arm indicate that students are boarding or exiting the bus. You should follow applicable state and local laws regarding stopping for school buses.

What are the FMCSA guidelines for driving in fog?

Commercial drivers should adjust their driving to visibility, weather, roadway and traffic conditions. When encountering fog or other reduced-visibility conditions, you should reduce speed as appropriate, use your vehicle’s headlights properly and allow additional time and space to respond to changing conditions. If visibility becomes too limited to continue safely, consider moving to a safe location off the roadway and waiting for conditions to improve.

How much following distance should a truck driver keep in school zones?

There’s no single following distance measurement that fits every situation. You should maintain adequate following distance based on speed, traffic, weather, roadway and visibility conditions. Allowing additional space in areas with school buses, pedestrians and heavier traffic can provide more time to respond if traffic slows or stops unexpectedly.

How can drivers spot children near school buses and bus stops?

Drivers should actively scan their surroundings and remain alert near schools, school bus stops and residential areas. Check mirrors regularly, be aware of areas that may be difficult to see from a commercial vehicle and adjust speed and attention to the surrounding conditions. Children and other pedestrians may enter or move near the roadway unexpectedly, so you should remain prepared for changing conditions even when a school bus is not actively loading or unloading passengers.