ALEA Gives Back-To-School Safety Tips For New Drivers, Parents

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) is encouraging citizens to take a moment and share important safety reminders with their children and loved ones before the start of the new school year.

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ALEA says all parents should sit down with their children and discuss safety prior to the first
day, which is particularly important for 16-year-old students who recently have obtained their
driver licenses and plan to drive themselves to school for the first time.

Additionally, parents and their young drivers are asked to familiarize themselves with Alabama’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law to fully understand the restrictions.

ALEA urges everyone to use the following tips with their young drivers:

• Make trial runs to school and back prior to the first day of school to familiarize the new driver with the best route, and possibly determine at least one alternate route.
• Expect heavier traffic (at least for the first week) and leave home early.
• Obey speed limits and other rules of the road.
• Do not drive while distracted by cell phone, stereo, passengers or anything else that takes your eyes off the road.
• Buckle up no matter how short the trip – and make sure all occupants in the vehicle have buckled up.
• Remember Alabama’s GDL restricts 16-year-old drivers from having more than one non- family member in the vehicle when driving.

ALEA also reminds everyone to promote safety throughout the school year by following these tips:

• Slow down and be alert, particularly in areas near school zones.
• In a school zone with blinking flashers, stop and yield to pedestrians cross the crosswalk or at an intersection.
• Never pass a vehicle that has stopped for pedestrians.
• Students should only cross a street at a crosswalk or designated intersection once they make eye contact with drivers and are certain the vehicles will stop.
• Watch out for children on bicycles and leave 3 feet between your vehicle and the cyclist when passing them.
• Watch for bikes coming down driveways or from behind vehicles parked on the street.
• Do not load or unload children across the street from the school – unless instructed to do so.
• Be aware of school bus stops and drive cautiously in the area, preparing to stop quickly should a child dart out into the street.
• Consider working with other parents to designate an adult to supervise children at the bus stop each morning.

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