If you’ve lived in Auburn or Opelika for very long, you know there’s one sure sign that summer is coming to an end.
It’s an exciting season, but it’s also a time when everyone needs to be a little more patient and a little more aware behind the wheel.
The roads get busier.
School buses are back on their routes. Parents are squeezing in one last stop before work. Teen drivers are heading to class. Auburn University welcomes thousands of students back to campus, and Southern Union students begin another semester. Overnight, what felt like a quiet summer commute turns into one of the busiest times of the year.
It’s an exciting season, but it’s also a time when everyone needs to be a little more patient and a little more aware behind the wheel.
At Walton Law Firm, we’re part of this community. We drive these same roads, support these same schools, and cheer on the Tigers right alongside you. We wanted to share a few reminders that can help make this school year a safe one for everyone.
Back-to-School Safety Checklist
Before you head out the door this school year, take a minute to review these simple reminders:
- Slow down in school zones and watch for changing speed limits.
- Never pass a stopped school bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.
- Put your phone away while driving.
- Watch for children, crossing guards, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
- Leave a few minutes early so you don’t feel rushed.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency publishes annual back-to-school safety reminders that explain Alabama’s school bus laws, school zone safety, and tips for drivers, parents, and students. Whether you’re a new driver or you’ve been behind the wheel for decades, it’s a great refresher before the school year begins.
Learn more from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency:
https://www.alea.gov/news/alea-safety-rules-back-school
For Parents of K-12 Students
The first few weeks of school can be an adjustment for everyone.
Children are excited to see their friends again, new routines are still being established, and mornings can feel rushed. It’s also important to remember that younger children aren’t always predictable. They may run into the street, cross between parked cars, or forget to look both ways.
If you’re driving near a school, take your time.
Watch for crossing guards, slow down in school zones, and always stop for a school bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended. Those extra few seconds could save a child’s life.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), school buses are one of the safest ways for children to travel to and from school. The greatest danger isn’t riding the bus. It’s walking to, from, and around it. That’s why drivers should remain especially alert whenever children are loading or unloading.
Learn more about school bus safety:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/school-bus-safety
If you have a new driver in the family, this is also a great time to talk about safe driving habits before they head back to school.
Why Stopping for a School Bus Matters
Every school year, drivers across the country illegally pass stopped school buses, putting children at unnecessary risk.
The NHTSA notes that illegal passing continues to be a serious safety concern nationwide, even though every state has laws requiring motorists to stop for school buses under certain circumstances. Taking a few extra moments to stop isn’t just the law. It’s one of the easiest ways to help protect children in our community.
Learn more about illegal school bus passing:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/school-bus-safety/reducing-illegal-passing-school-buses
Teen Drivers Have More Distractions Than Ever
For many high school students, driving to school is a new level of independence.
It’s exciting, but it also comes with responsibility.
According to the NHTSA, motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of death for teenagers in the United States. While experience comes with time, parents can help reduce the risk by setting expectations before the school year begins.
Encourage your teen to silence their phone before driving, wear a seatbelt every trip, obey speed limits, and never let the pressure of being late outweigh the importance of arriving safely.
Phones, passengers, music, and the pressure of getting to class on time can all become distractions. Even experienced drivers can make mistakes when they’re distracted. For teenagers who are still building confidence behind the wheel, those distractions can have even greater consequences.
Those conversations may seem simple, but they often become habits that last for years.
Additional teen driving resources are available here:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving
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Welcome Back, Auburn University Students
Every August, Auburn transforms.
Students move into dorms and apartments, parents fill local restaurants, and campus becomes one of the busiest places in East Alabama. Add bicycles, scooters, pedestrians, football excitement, and increased traffic, and it’s easy to see why drivers need to pay close attention.
Whether you’re a freshman experiencing Auburn for the first time or returning for another semester, a few simple habits can help keep you safe.
Put your phone away when crossing the street. Use designated crosswalks whenever possible. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially after dark. If you’re going out with friends, always have a plan to get home safely without driving under the influence.
Parents often spend a lot of time preparing students for college. A conversation about personal safety is just as important as packing the dorm room.
Auburn University also offers a variety of campus safety resources, emergency preparedness information, and public safety services that every student should become familiar with before classes begin.
Learn more:
https://auburn.edu/administration/public_safety/
A Reminder for Southern Union Students
Many Southern Union students commute to campus from Auburn, Opelika, Valley, LaGrange, and surrounding communities.
That means spending more time on highways and rural roads, especially during the early morning and late afternoon.
Before the semester gets into full swing, take a few minutes to make sure your tires, brakes, lights, and windshield wipers are in good condition. Leave yourself enough time to get to class without rushing, and remember that distracted driving is never worth the risk.
Southern Union also provides campus public safety resources that students should familiarize themselves with before the semester begins. Knowing where to find emergency information, campus police, and safety services can provide peace of mind throughout the school year.
Learn more:
https://www.suscc.edu/about/public-safety.cshtml
Back-to-School Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Even if you don’t have children in school, the back-to-school season affects every driver in our community.
You’ll likely notice:
- More school buses on the road
- Increased pedestrian traffic
- More bicycles and scooters
- Longer wait times at intersections
- More congestion around schools, Auburn University, and Southern Union
The best thing any of us can do is slow down, stay alert, and give each other a little extra grace. Everyone is trying to get where they need to be safely.
At Walton Law Firm, we believe being part of the Auburn and Opelika community means more than helping people after an accident. It also means doing everything we can to help prevent one. If sharing a few reminders encourages someone to slow down in a school zone, stop for a school bus, or put their phone away while driving, then it’s worth the conversation.
If an Accident Happens
No one expects to be involved in an accident, but unfortunately, they happen every day.
If you or someone you love is injured because another driver wasn’t paying attention, getting medical care should always be your first priority. Once everyone is safe, documenting what happened and understanding your legal rights can make a significant difference.
Whether the accident involves a distracted driver, a school zone collision, a pedestrian, or another type of motor vehicle accident, the experienced team at Walton Law Firm is here to help answer your questions and guide you through the process.
Wishing Everyone a Safe School Year
As another school year begins, we want to wish every student, teacher, administrator, school employee, parent, and college student a successful year ahead.
Drive carefully. Watch out for one another. Put the phone down for a few minutes. Those small decisions help make our community a little safer every single day.
From all of us at Walton Law Firm, welcome back, and have a wonderful school year.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, truck accident, pedestrian accident, or another personal injury incident, contact Walton Law Firm for a free consultation. We’re proud to serve Auburn, Opelika, and communities throughout East Alabama and West Georgia. When you need someone in your corner, we’re here to help.
