School comes back in session in Knox County on August 8, and that means the rules of the road are going to change. In some situations, this will mean following laws that you might have been able to ignore for the past few months. In others, you’ll have to learn to exercise a bit more caution because of those with whom you will share the road. In either case, it’s time to remember the rules of the road for the school year.
Remember School Zones
After two months off, you might have forgotten all about school zone speed limits. Around Knox County, these limits are in place both before and after school. Morning speed limits are enforced from forty minutes before the first bell until five minutes after the bell, and afternoon limits are enforced from five minutes before dismissal until forty minutes after dismissal. Remember, the speed limits are going to drop down about fifteen miles per hour when the signs are flashing, so be prepared to go much slower than usual in order to avoid a hefty fine.
Look Out for Walkers
You’re going to see many more children on the sidewalks during the before and after school hours, so make sure you stay safe on the road. Fortunately, most schools in Knox County have dedicated crosswalk attendants so you can be sure that children have a place to cross safely. Unfortunately, though, this doesn’t mean that every child will pay attention to the rules. Always make sure to exercise extra caution before and after school so you can keep little walkers safe. Drive a little slower even outside of the school zones so you can prevent an accident.
Stop Means Stop!
The school buses are going to be back on the roads soon, and this means getting used to stopping behind them. When a school bus comes to a stop and begins to let off passengers, it will extend its very own stop sign. This is not a suggestion – running one of these signs is just like running a stop sign anywhere else in the county. Doing so can also put children in danger as they leave the bus, so make sure to pay attention. Passing a stopped school bus can lead to hurt children, possible car accidents and points on your license that you simply don’t need.
Teenage Drivers
Finally, be aware that an entirely new crop of teenage drivers will be taking to the road as the school year begins. Teen drivers are more likely to be in accidents and more likely to be the cause of accidents, so be sure to practice your defensive driving over the next few weeks. Always exercise extra caution in the areas around high schools as school gets out, as reckless teens are more likely to cause accidents around these areas. Be safe by giving them a little extra space.
As August 8th approaches, be sure you get back into the swing of driving around schools. Always make sure you exercise extra caution, follow the laws to the letter and be ready to deal with drivers who won’t do the same. If you’re injured, always make sure to call an injury attorney – after all, following the rules yourself doesn’t keep you safe from those who ignore them.
