by California Casualty | Calcas Connection, Good to Know |
You might be surprised to learn that school zones and bus stops are some of the most dangerous places for kids as they go to and from school. Since it’s been a few months since school has been in session, these safety refreshers can make this back to school season safer for our children:
SCHOOL ZONES
- Be aware of school zones
- Pay close attention to all school zones along your route. Warning signs, flashing lights and speed bumps are good indicators that a school zone is nearby.
- Never drive distracted, especially in areas where children travel to and from school
- Drinking coffee, texting, talking on the cell phone and completing the morning routine to get ready for the day (applying makeup or shaving) are all distractions.
- Slow down and observe school zone speed limits
- Avoiding the need to rush by building in extra time can save a life. Slamming on the brakes is not the best approach to reducing your speed in a school zone.
- Be patient and expect increased traffic during drop-off and pick-up times
- Don’t get overwhelmed by the controlled chaos. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
- Avoid double parking or blocking crosswalks in school drop-off zones
- Always yield to pedestrians, whether or not they are in the designated crosswalks.
BUS STOPS
- Yield to buses at all times
- Filled with precious cargo, they deserve the right of way.
- Stop when you see school bus yellow or red flashing lights and the stop arm extended
- Drivers behind the bus as well as those approaching it are required to stop.
- Let students getting off of the bus cross in front of your car and wait to ensure all riders have crossed safely
- Stopping a good distance from the bus will help you to see the students and the students to see you
- Be aware of kids standing at bus stops
- They may accidentally step off of the curb and into your path. Be ready.
Nothing is more valuable than the lives of our children. These simple rules can prevent tragedies and keep our school zones safer for all.
TAKEAWAY: Find a great back to school safety resource at https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/seasonal-safety/back-to-school/drivers
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
Accidents happen. You may or may not know what to do, and what not to do, if you are involved in a crash.
After the screeching of tires and crunching of metal is over, the first thing is to make sure everyone is okay. Then it’s time to deal with the other driver, see if there are any witnesses, and exchange information – but you are rattled, upset and maybe not thinking clearly.
Here are key things that you should do:
- Get the name, phone number and insurance policy number of the other driver(s)
- Get the license plate numbers, year, make and model of the other vehicle(s)
- If possible, take pictures that not only show the damage but the position of the vehicles – what lanes they are in, etc.
- Get names and contact information of any witnesses
- Be observant of the actions of the others involved
- Call the nearest law enforcement agency and make a report
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
Things you shouldn’t do:
- Don’t admit fault or apologize
- Don’t lose control of your emotions
- Don’t let the other party take a picture of your driver’s license (the National Association of Insurance Commissioners warns that information can be used by identity thieves)
- Don’t leave the scene before you exchange information
- Don’t accept money from the other party to avoid reporting the crash to insurance
While you should report all accidents to your insurance company, law enforcement may not need to be called for a minor non-injury collision. Be sure to obtain all the pertinent information in case you decide to file a report.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has produced a Wreck Check safety pamphlet that every driver should carry. You can find a link from the California Casualty Resource Page, www.calcas.com/resources.
There are a few other important things our adjusters want people to know:
- Make sure to get the correct contact information and license plate of the other vehicle(s) involved
- Make sure to give your best contact number or email to help speed up their claim
- Make sure to report any hit-and-run crashes to law enforcement and provide as much information as possible
by California Casualty | Health |
With summer time comes rising temperatures, and for babies those temperatures can become deadly if they get trapped in a hot car. Even the most attentive and caring parents make mistakes – including accidentally leaving or locking a child in a car. Sometimes, children climb into unlocked, parked cars in the driveway without their parents realizing it, and when they do it is often too late. Regardless of how it happens, children left in hot vehicles are in grave danger within a matter of minutes.
Here are some tips for making double & triple sure that your child is safe this summer:
- Never leave your child in the car. No exceptions: No matter how brief your errand or how quick your stop, NEVER leave a child in the car. Under any circumstances, even with the windows cracked or completely rolled down, there is no safe amount of time to leave a child in the car.
- Get involved if you are a bystander: If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 immediately. If they are in distress due to heat, the National Highway Safety Administration recommends getting them out as soon as possible.
- Remind Yourself: Oftentimes, children’s car seats are behind the parent’s seat, out of sight, and if your child is asleep it can be easy to forget they are even with you. Remind yourself out loud to remember the child; give yourself visual cues; place your purse or briefcase in back by the child- so when you exit the car, you are reminded; place the diaper bag in the seat next to you where you can see it. If you are changing up routine (for example, if Dad usually drives the child in the morning, but today Mom is doing so), it is easy to forget. New parents have a lot on their minds and accidents can happen.
- Prevent kids from wandering into the car: Don’t let children play in your car unattended. Lock your car doors and trunk, and keep keys out of any child’s reach. That way, you minimize the risk that they climb into your car without you knowing they have done so.
- Make it routine: Make it a habit to physically open the back car door and check for anyone left behind every single time you get out of the car.
- Have back up: Make arrangements with your child’s day care center or babysitter that you will always call if your child will not be there on a particular day as scheduled. That way if you forget and they are absent, they will alert you.
For more car safety tips, visit the National Highway Safety Administration.
