Fleetowner 28927 100917 Promo Cvsa Safe Driver Week Agm 1 1
Fleetowner 28927 100917 Promo Cvsa Safe Driver Week Agm 1 1
Fleetowner 28927 100917 Promo Cvsa Safe Driver Week Agm 1 1
Fleetowner 28927 100917 Promo Cvsa Safe Driver Week Agm 1 1
Fleetowner 28927 100917 Promo Cvsa Safe Driver Week Agm 1 1

Safe driving tips for the school year and holiday season

Dec. 12, 2017
Whether driving in the city, suburb or country, extra caution is needed when sharing the road with school buses.

It’s always important to drive safely, but with school back in session and the holidays just around the corner promising increased traffic, safe driving becomes even more critical.

Whether driving in the city, suburb or country, extra caution is needed when sharing the road with school buses.

Here are some tips for sharing the road safely:

  • When to stop — It’s illegal to pass a stopped school bus on an undivided highway. You must stop when the school bus has its red lights on and its stop arm is extended.
  • When to slow down — You must slow down when the school bus has its yellow lights on. It’s also a good idea to slow down whenever you see a school bus.
  • Watch for children — Be especially vigilant in school zones, crosswalks and at bus stops. Children don’t always use crosswalks and may dart out into the street without looking.
  • Limit distractions — Eating, fidgeting with the radio, talking on your cell phone all take your attention away from driving.
  • Safety zones — Leave a minimum 10-foot safety zone for children in front of, behind and on either side of a school bus.

Driving in traffic requires extra attention and concentration as you are dealing with busy and sometimes narrow streets, preoccupied pedestrians and impaired visibility. You must stay alert, watch your speed and make turns carefully.

Here are some tips that will help with driving during these busy times and beyond:

  • Keep your eyes moving — Don’t focus on one object, but rather look from one side of the road to the other. Try to scan a block or two ahead as well.
  • Check your mirrors — Know what is behind you and on the sides of your vehicle.
  • Watch taillights — Taillights allows you to track what is happening in front of you and give you some advanced warning when you need to stop.
  • Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists — Be aware that pedestrians may dart out into traffic at any moment. Also, watch out for bicyclists that may pull up next to you in your blind spot.
  • Watch for driveways, alleyways, parking lot access — Vehicles may come out of these places suddenly and won’t be visible until the last moment.
  • Stay on specified routes — Follow assigned routes and don’t veer off from familiar roads.

In addition to these safe-driving practices, make sure your vehicle is well maintained so it will stop when it needs to.

Safe driving practices are always important but they become critical when during the school year, during holidays and at other times of increased traffic.

About the Author

Joseph Evangelist

Joseph is a seasoned transportation executive with domestic and international experience in sales, operations, mergers and acquisition with heavy emphasis on post-acquisition assimilation planning to maximize new growth and business combination opportunities.

He joined Transervice in 2007 and currently serves as executive vice president with sales, operations and staff responsibilities. He is also heavily involved in new business development and account management.

Previously he was president of LLT International, Inc., an international transportation consulting firm with operations in the U.S. and the Far East. He oversaw the maintenance and fleet management of a 2,000-vehicle cement distribution fleet in Indonesia.

Joseph was also president and CEO of Lend Lease Trucks Inc., a truck rental, leasing and dedicated carriage firm with operations throughout the U.S.

He also was vice president/general manager of The Hertz Corporation – Truck Division, a subsidiary of The Hertz Corp. While there he participated in the acquisition and successful integration of the Canadian licensee operations.

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