Back to School Driving Safety | Phil Gilbert Hyundai

Tips for Drop off and Pick Up

Just as it’s important to stay safe during long drives on the school holidays, you also need to adjust to new conditions when school returns.

If you are dropping off or picking up kids you have an extra incentive to be careful. Make sure you:

• Stick to the 40 km/h speed limit in school zones as children are around and likely to be distracted.
• Always park and turn legally around schools and avoid U-turns and three point turns.
• Park safely even if it means walking further to the school gate.
• Drop off and pick up should be on the same side of the road as the school whenever possible. Never park on the other side of the street and call out to your kids – they may run to you without checking. If you must park across the street get out and walk your kids across safely.
• Wherever possible, children should exit the car on kerbside to avoid proximity to passing traffic.

Buses Get Priority

Be aware of buses in school zones and follow these rules around them:

• There is a 40km/h speed limit for traffic passing a school bus that is setting down or picking up schoolchildren.
• This speed limit is in effect whenever the bus has its rear lights flashing – even if the posted speed limit is higher. As a driver, remember when the lights on the bus are flashing, you must slow down to 40 km/h.
• Never park in or near a bus stop or bus zone.

Driving and Parking Near Schools

As a general rule, when driving near schools you should be more vigilant than usual. Keep an eye out for children and making sure you follow all safety signs. Other guidelines to keep yourself and others safe in school zones are:

• Be aware of school opening and closing times, as these will see a dramatic increase in traffic and pedestrians outside the school.
• Observe all parking signs in school zones as they are planned with children’s safety in mind.
• Never double park as it reduces visibility and put children at risk.
• Slow down and be ready to stop near school crossings even if you have right of way – children don’t understand the ins and outs of road rules.
• Always give way to pedestrians in school zones, particularly when entering and leaving driveways.
• Avoid parking across the school driveway or the entrance to the school car park.

Play It Safe with Speed

The 40 km/h zones around schools aim to slow traffic down, creating safer roads for children and staff alike. Even if it seems like there are no kids around or you know it’s a pupil free day, the speed limit still applies. Most 40km/h school zones operate between 8am and 9.30am and from 2.30pm till 4pm and this must be observed on all school days, even pupil free and staff development days.

The next time you’re out on the road just remember: safety around schools means following the rules.

If you need a safe new car for school pickup, visit Phil Gilbert Hyundai at our two locations around Sydney. We will have you driving safely with our range of new and used vehicles.