John Price Law Blog

Back To School Car Safety

Note: This was featured as part of our Wednesday segment on Charleston’s 105.5 The Bridge with Box in the Morning. You can catch us every Wednesday morning at 8:50 am ET for the latest law tips and legal news. You can listen to the segment below:

Our children’s safety is always of the utmost importance, but it’s especially important to remember during this time of year. It’s time to go back to school, which means we are now sharing the road with children.

We’re now experiencing the morning rush that comes with school being back in session, both at home and on the road. When getting the kids to school this year, be sure to keep child car safety in mind.

Car Seats

First and foremost, your child should be in the correct seat. In South Carolina, children under the age of six “must be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat.” Child safety seats includes rear and front facing car seats, as well as booster seats.

Children under the age of two are required by SC law to ride in a rear-facing car seat. Experts recommend preschoolers ride in a forward-facing seat and school-age children in booster seats. Children under the age of 12 should not sit in the front seat, even if they have outgrown their booster seat.

Seatbelts

No matter what seat your child is sitting in, he or she should always be properly restrained. Always remember to buckle your children and use seatbelts. Seatbelts do not guarantee safety in the event of an accident, but chances of injury increase greatly when your child is unbuckled.

In addition to proper car seats and restraints, you should also turn on child lock. Kids love to press buttons, so make sure that your doors and windows are locked when they are in the car.

School Zones

Child car safety goes beyond just keeping your own children safe. You should practice extra caution when sharing the road. When approaching school zones, you need to be especially careful, keeping an eye out for children crossing the street and darting out.

Legally, drivers are expected to drive with a heightened sense of awareness in areas like school zones and neighborhoods where there are children. Be vigilant and react accordingly, as children tend to dart out into the street.

Law Enforcement

Police officers and traffic units hang out around schools, particularly at the beginning of the school year, looking for those trying to beat the tardy bell. Make sure you are keeping to speed limits and staying on the right side of the law this school year.

These are a just a few things to remember when it comes to back to school car safety. For more information, check out our blogs on child car safety and school bus safety. Remember these tips so that you and your family can enjoy a safe, happy school year.

If you or your child are injured in an accident, contact the Charleston accident attorneys at the John Price Law Firm. We offer free initial consultations with offices across South Carolina. You can reach us online or at (843) 552-6011.

Additional Resources:

http://www.dmv.org/sc-south-carolina/safety-laws.php