The need for driver safety is always present, but the challenges and risks skyrocket during the school year and holiday seasons. No community is exempt, either. From dense inner cities to sprawling suburbs, school buses and holiday travelers increase transportation risk. With more buses and more pedestrians comes increased congestion and chaos. Commercial drivers must remain vigilant while on the road.

Driver Safety Tips for School Buses

When driving through or near school zones, commercial drivers are likely to encounter school buses. While bus drivers must possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL), other commercial vehicles need to take special precautions when driving near school buses. These include:

  • Stop when a school bus extends its stop sign on an undivided highway. It is illegal to pass them in this situation and can result in fines and citations.
  • Keep an eye out for children in school zones and around buses. While most school zones include crosswalks, children do not always utilize them and may cross streets at random.
  • Maintain at least a 10-foot buffer between the commercial vehicle and children at all times.

Driver Safety Tips for Holiday Traffic

More people are on the roads during the holidays. They are traveling to visit families, and are likely to be preoccupied. Commercial drivers need to pay extra attention to navigate the increased traffic. To manage the busier roads, drivers can:

  • Stay aware of their surroundings. Drivers should check their mirrors often to stay abreast of traffic in front of them, beside them, and behind them.
  • Scan the roads. It is common to fixate on a point in the distance during long hauls. However, during busy traffic seasons, drivers should keep their eyes on the move. This can help them identify any potential safety issues and avoid them.
  • Increase and maintain a safe driving distance and watch taillights. While all drivers know they should keep a safe driving distance between vehicles, passenger vehicles do not always abide by it. Commercial drivers can reduce the risk of an accident by maintaining a safe distance between their vehicle and passenger vehicles and by watching the taillights ahead of them. If a passenger vehicle slams on their brakes, a commercial vehicle should begin braking as well. Commercial vehicles are larger and take more time to stop. The combination of an increased following distance with taillight monitoring can help reduce roadway risks.

During the school year and holiday seasons, there is always increased traffic. For the duration of these periods, commercial drivers need to exercise increased caution. If your fleet is struggling with driver safety, DriverCheck can help. We offer programs and online training to reduce collisions and improve transportation safety. To learn more about our services, contact us today.