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Chaotic school zones with clogged roads can be the stuff of nightmares for a driver
Always expect the unexpected near schools. Unfortunately, this is one chaotic zone that makes tackling traffic jams during rush hour look like a breeze. Children might cross the street at the wrong place, or suddenly run in front of your car. The secret to tackling these situations is to be calm and courteous. Remember, parents who are running late may suddenly need to get back into traffic after dropping the children off. Go easy on them.
Avoid travelling faster than 30kmph, and travel even slower if there are a number of children along the road or are crossing the road. Be predictable and don’t make sudden manoeuvres that others, particularly children, won’t be expecting.
Always stay alert. Put down the mobile phone, and put both hands on the wheel as you need total control of the car. Avoid distractions within your vehicle, including loud music. Yield the right of way to pedestrians. It isn’t just courteous, it’s the law. Stop in either direction for a school bus with its lights flashing. If the bus is outfitted with flashing yellow lights, anticipate it will soon stop and children may be crossing in front of you.
Heads up school bus ahead Not all school buses are yellow as not all schools have enough buses for their students so they hire private buses. So be alert when a bus, any bus, slows down or stops in a school area
