Back-to-School Driving Hazards: How to Avoid Accidents & Claims

As summer winds down and students head back into the classroom, the roads get more congested. The back-to-school season brings increased traffic, distracted drivers, hurried parents, and elementary-age pedestrians. These distractions can heighten the risk of accidents. Whether you're a parent, student, or daily commuter, being aware of back-to-school driving hazards helps everyone stay safe and helps you avoid costly insurance claims.

Here’s everything you need to know about common driving hazards, how to prevent accidents in the first place, and what to do in the event you need to make a claim through your auto insurance provider.

Common Back-to-School Driving Hazards

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving claimed more than 3,000 lives in 2023. All it takes is seconds of distracted driving, whether checking your GPS, changing the radio station, or looking at your phone to cause an accident, especially in a school zone. Here are a few hazards to watch out for, whether you’re driving your own child to school or passing school crosswalks.

Increased Pedestrian Traffic Near School

Come August or September, you’ll probably experience an influx of students walking or biking to school, especially if there’s an elementary or middle school nearby. The increased pedestrian traffic near the school means you need to be extra cautious in school zones, around crosswalks and intersections, and in school parking lots.

Congestion During Morning and Afternoon Drop-offs

School zones experience extra congestion during the early morning and mid-afternoon hours. Parents rushing to beat the bell, school buses, staff vehicles, walkers, and bikers are all heading to and from the same place in a small window of time, creating a sometimes chaotic traffic scenario.

Sudden Stops from Buses and Carpools

School buses make frequent, sometimes unpredictable stops to pick up or drop off students. And carpooling parents may block lanes or suddenly brake near school entrances. These stop-and-go patterns require heightened awareness, especially during the chaotic drop-off and pick-up periods.

Teen Drivers with Limited Experience

For many teens, the school year marks their first experience driving to school solo. Their limited experience can make them more prone to misjudgments, especially in crowded or high-stress traffic conditions. Teens are also statistically more likely to drive distracted, speed, or follow too closely.

Accident Prevention Tips

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to prevent accidents in the first place. Here are a few ways to keep everyone safe when driving to and from school, or past school zones.

Reduce Your Speed

Speed limits in school zones are often reduced during school hours. Slowing down to 15 or 20 mph gives you more reaction time in case a child runs into the road or a vehicle stops suddenly.

Obey Signals

Crossing guards are the MVPs of student safety at intersections. Always yield to their signals and give them plenty of space to operate. Failing to obey a crossing guard can make the road less safe and can lead to hefty fines.

Avoid In-Car Distractions

Your phone is arguably the biggest distraction in your car. Put it on “Do Not Disturb” while driving, especially through school zones. Set your GPS or playlist before leaving. Keep in-car conversations and distractions to a minimum, particularly when children are in and around your vehicle.

Maintain Safe Following Distances

If you're behind a school bus, be ready for frequent and sometimes sudden stops. Give the bus a generous following distance — at least three seconds — and never pass a bus with its stop sign extended.

Plan Routes to Avoid High-Traffic School Areas

If you’re not dropping off or picking up students yourself, try to steer clear of school zones during peak hours. Use your navigation system to check traffic and plan accordingly.

Insurance Considerations

Whether you get into a fender bender in the carpool line, or your newly licensed teen is driving back and forth to high school, you’ll want to make sure you have a comprehensive car insurance policy that covers all your driving needs.

• Ensure liability coverage meets state minimums. Each state sets minimum requirements for liability insurance, but it’s a good idea to carry more than the bare minimum. With more pedestrians and young drivers on the road, the chances of causing or being involved in an accident increase.
• Consider comprehensive/collision for teen drivers. If your teen plans to get behind the wheel this school year, consider adding comprehensive and collision coverage to their policy. Teen drivers have the highest accident rate of any age group. These coverages protect against damage from collisions, theft, vandalism, and more.
• Ask about good student and driver safety course discounts. Cheap auto insurance and teen drivers don’t often go together, but companies do often reward students who maintain good grades or complete approved driver safety courses. These discounts can help offset the increased premiums that come with insuring this high-risk group.
• Review policy for coverage gaps before school starts. A quick insurance review before the school year can help you identify and fill any gaps. For example, make sure roadside assistance is included if your teen is driving alone. If you’ve bought a new car for the school year, ensure it’s added to your policy with the right amount of coverage.

Post-Accident Best Practices

Even with the best precautions in and around school zones, accidents can still happen. Knowing what to do immediately afterward can help streamline your insurance claim process.

• Document scene with photos and witness info. If you’re involved in an accident, whether with another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a curb, use your phone to take photos of damage, license plates, surrounding traffic signs, and road conditions. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information.
• Report the incident promptly to your insurer. Time is of the essence after an accident. Most insurance companies require immediate reporting. In fact, delaying that process could jeopardize your claim or lead to unnecessary disputes.
• Keep records of repairs and communication. After an accident, be sure to keep a folder with all related documents, including repair estimates, receipts, emails with insurance adjusters, medical bills, and any other correspondence. Having everything organized will help in case your claim gets delayed or contested.

Whether you're a seasoned driver navigating congested school zones or a parent teaching your teen the rules of the road, a little preparation goes a long way in avoiding accidents and insurance headaches.