Orleans – A Guide to Back to School Safety Tips for Homeowners

With summer winding down, it is time for parents and children to prepare for the new school year. School buses will be back on the roads, and families will be rushing to get to their destinations on time. As a homeowner in Orleans, it is essential to take proactive measures to ensure that everyone stays safe during this busy period. Whether you live near a French school which has already started or an English school, this blog post will provide you with an overview of how to navigate the traffic and facilitate a smooth transition into the upcoming academic year.

1. Plan Your Routes

Before the start of the new school year, it’s a great idea to test out your commute during peak traffic hours. Disruptions and delays are sure to happen, so make sure you have several alternate routes to get to your destination. Additionally, if you are transporting children to and from school, make sure you set aside enough time so that you can drop them off safely.

2. Look Out for School Buses

School buses will be back on the roads after the summer break, so it’s essential to pay attention and watch out for them. When following a school bus, make sure you give them ample space. The safest distance should be at least two bus lengths. Additionally, it’s illegal to pass a school bus when it stops to unload or load students. You must stop 20 meters away on both sides of the bus until the stop sign stops flashing.

3. Keep an Eye Out for Children

As the school year begins, kids will be excited to get to school and back home. They may not pay attention to oncoming traffic and attempt to cross the road in unexpected areas. As a homeowner, be vigilant and slow down when driving in school zones, especially during pick-up and drop-off times. Remember to always look both ways when driving through residential neighborhoods as kids might be playing outside and may run into the street.

4. Communicate with Your Neighbors

If you live in a neighborhood with many children attending schools, it’s important to communicate with other homeowners in your vicinity. Share your safety concerns about the increase in traffic, discuss potential solutions, and work together to address any issues. This might include contacting the school and the town to make recommendations or requests regarding improving the traffic flow or speeding in the area.

5. Support the Community

Whether you have children that attend school or not, it’s important to support the community during this time of the year. You can volunteer to be a crossing guard, offer to carpool with families in the area, or even donate to the school to fund much-needed projects. These actions go a long way to show your commitment to the community, and it’s always great to be an active participant in making the neighborhood a better place to live.

As a homeowner in Orleans, it’s important to prioritize the safety of your family and the community during the back-to-school season. School buses, children walking on busy roads, and heavy traffic make the roads dangerous, but with proper planning, vigilance, and communication, we can all work together to ensure everyone arrives safely at their destinations. Remember, we’re all in this together!