Back-to-School Safety Tips Every Teen Driver Should Know
When school is back in session, so is the morning and afternoon traffic. With crowded roads during drop-off and pick-up times, plus the increased presence of school buses, bicyclists, young pedestrians, and other teen drivers, it’s more important than ever to slow down and stay alert. If your child just got their license, reviewing teen driver back-to-school safety tips can help keep them and everyone around them safe.
Make sure your teen driver is properly insured—whether that means adding them to your auto policy or helping them purchase one of their own. While adding a new driver can be costly, it’s a worthwhile investment given their higher risk of accidents.
If your teen is driving to school for the first time this year, there are several important habits and rules to go over with them.
Pedestrian Awareness
Students get to school in many different ways, and drivers must be prepared to share the road. Remind your teen to watch carefully for children in crosswalks, playground areas, and residential neighborhoods. They should always yield to pedestrians, avoid blocking crosswalks, and obey school crossing guards. Passing a stopped car or bus that is letting children cross is extremely dangerous—and illegal.
School Bus Safety
Buses make frequent stops, and children often cross the street when getting on or off. Teens should always stop when a bus extends its stop sign or flashes its red lights, even if they’re in another lane or on the opposite side of an undivided road. A safe following distance is also key; leaving extra space behind a school bus helps prevent rear-end collisions.
Sharing the Road with Cyclists
Bicyclists are common near schools, and younger riders may not always follow the rules of the road. Drivers should wait for cyclists to pass before turning left, give them plenty of space when passing, and let them go first if they’re approaching on the right at an intersection. Teens also need to watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars, and check their mirrors before opening a door when parked.
Speed Limits Matter
Speeding is one of the biggest factors in fatal teen crashes. In Massachusetts, the school zone speed limit is 20 mph during arrival and dismissal. For drivers under 18 with a Junior Operator License, speeding penalties are severe—including license suspension, fines, and mandatory classes. Encourage your teen to leave earlier so they don’t feel rushed.
Drop-Off Etiquette
If your teen is driving younger siblings, they should only use designated drop-off areas. Double parking or letting kids out across the street from school can create serious hazards.
Carpooling Risks
Carpooling is convenient, but driving with friends can be distracting. Teen drivers are more likely to take risks with peers in the car. Make it clear that passengers must buckle up and avoid disruptive behavior. Your teen should also feel empowered to set boundaries—if friends can’t respect their safety rules, they shouldn’t ride along.
Staying Focused
Driving requires full attention. Phones, social media, food, makeup, or rowdy passengers all increase the risk of a crash. Alcohol and drugs are never acceptable, and drowsy driving can be just as dangerous. If your teen hasn’t had enough rest, encourage them to arrange another ride.
Weather Awareness
Rain, fog, snow, and ice add another layer of danger. New drivers should practice with an experienced adult in bad weather before attempting it alone. On especially rough days, it may be safest to catch a ride instead.
Seatbelts Save Lives
Buckling up should be second nature. Almost half of crash fatalities involve people who weren’t wearing seatbelts. In Massachusetts, it’s the law—and your teen should make sure every passenger is strapped in before driving.
Knowing the Car
Finally, a responsible driver knows how to maintain their vehicle. Teach your teen how to check tire pressure, add windshield washer fluid, and keep an emergency kit in the car. They should also know what steps to take if an accident happens—and to always call 911 for serious collisions.
Set Your Teen Driver Up for Success
Getting a license may feel like the hard part, but staying safe behind the wheel requires constant responsibility. Set a good example by practicing safe driving habits yourself, and keep the conversation going with your teen.
For more safety tips or to review your auto insurance options, contact a C&S Insurance agent today.