Baltimore Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents: Back-to-School Safety For Students
The start of a new school year means more children walking and biking through Baltimore streets, and parents, drivers, and school communities need to be aware of the risks.
Sharing the road with motorists puts students in danger, increasing the likelihood of pedestrian and bicycle accidents in Baltimore. Our experienced Maryland personal injury lawyers explain some of the most common hazards and how to keep children safe on the road this school year.
Baltimore Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents Pose Risks for Students
Baltimore County Public Schools resume classes at the end of August each year, which means a noticeable increase in foot and bicycle traffic near school zones, crosswalks, and residential streets throughout Baltimore. Motorists, who are often rushing to make their commutes, need to be alert for students on the road and avoid reckless behavior that could put them at risk.
The Maryland Department of Transportation warns that bicycle and pedestrian accidents increase at the start of each new school year. Dangerous driving behaviors that often cause these crashes include:
- Tailgating, failing to yield, or other aggressive driving behavior near bus stops, crosswalks, and school entrances.
- Speeding through school zones where reduced speed limits apply during arrival and dismissal hours.
- Distracted driving, including phone use, in areas with heavy child foot traffic.
- Failure to yield to young cyclists at intersections and driveways along common school routes.
Unfortunately, these collisions can leave students suffering potentially life-changing injuries. When reckless driving is to blame, parents have the right to hold the driver accountable.
How to Protect Baltimore Children This School Year
To protect children against pedestrian and bicycle accidents in Baltimore, it’s important for drivers to use caution near schools, crosswalks, and anywhere students tend to travel or congregate. For parents, the American Automobile Association (AAA) recommends following these tips:
- Travel the school route with your child before the first day to identify potentially hazardous conditions.
- Teach your children to remain on the sidewalks and always use crosswalks.
- Remind them never to assume a driver sees them or will stop.
- Have them wear bright, reflective items to increase visibility.
- Make sure young cyclists wear a properly fitted helmet, which Maryland law requires for riders under 16.
- Report dangerous intersections or school zone conditions to the city and school administration, so hazards can be addressed before someone gets hurt.
If your child is injured on the way to or from school, call 911, get contact information for the driver and any eyewitnesses, and seek medical attention immediately.
Contact Our Experienced Maryland Personal Injury Lawyers
Baltimore bicycle and pedestrian accidents are common at the start of each new school year and can leave students suffering debilitating injuries. At Maryland Injury Lawyers, we protect victims and their families, providing the caring support and trusted legal representation they need to file a claim.
Don’t wait to get legal help. To get the compensation your child needs to recover, contact our experienced Maryland personal injury lawyers today to request a consultation.
Sources:
roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/pressreleasedetails.aspx?PageId=0&newsId=2639
ace.aaa.com/automotive/advocacy/back-to-school-safety-tips.html
