Common Causes of Auto Accidents in School Zones

 Posted on August 16, 2023 in Personal Injury

Nearly every parent wants their child to be safe on their way to and from school. Whether your children get to school by car, bus, bicycle, or on foot, there are some risks inherent to traveling through school zones. A parent only needs to sit in a car line before school once to understand how chaotic pick-up and drop-off hours can be. Traffic can become extremely congested during the periods just before and after school as hundreds or even thousands of children are arriving and leaving all at once. One may think that because traffic in school zones is typically slow-moving that it might be safer. Unfortunately, even the slow pace of traffic is not enough to create the level of safety most parents hope for. Many drivers are distracted, tired, and in a hurry. These common causes of car accidents create some degree of risk for children, parents, school staff, and passersby. If you or your child is injured in an accident in a school zone, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. The faster you call an attorney, the more evidence they may be able to identify and preserve. 

Top 5 Reasons for Car Accidents Near Schools 

There are a few very common negligent driving habits that contribute to accidents near schools. Common causes of accidents in school zones include: 

• Rushing - Parents and high school students who drive may be in a rush. Parents may be struggling to drop off their child and still make it to work on time, while teenagers may be in a hurry to get to school on time. This may lead to careless actions like speeding or running lights that have just turned red. 

• Driver fatigue - Few people are at their best very early in the morning during school arrival time. Both parents and teenagers may have just woken up within the past hour and may not be fully alert yet. It is easy for a fatigued driver to make a mistake that leads to an accident. 

• Inadequate traffic control - Traffic patterns at the school should be carefully managed. If there is a need for someone to be guiding traffic at a confusing or chaotic spot and no one is there, the odds of an accident increase. 

• Inexperience - Many high school students drive themselves to school. A high school student has little experience driving and may not be equipped to make the best possible decisions.

• Distraction - Parents or students may be distracted by others in the car or cell phones. 

If you or your child has sustained an injury while arriving at or leaving school, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible. 

Contact a Peoria Auto Accident Lawyer

Kanoski Bresney is a firm of experienced car accident litigators. Our committed team of Peoria auto accident attorneys will do all we can to help you or your child recover compensation after an accident in a school zone. Call 888-826-8682 to begin with a complimentary consultation. 

Source:

https://www.tapconet.com/blog/improving-school-zone-safety-top-5-reasons-school-zone-collisions-occur/