Tips for avoiding a back-to-school car accident or speeding ticket

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Doing a lot more driving these days? If you’re a parent, back to school often means back to behind the wheel. It’s not surprising then, that September is a prime time for car accidents. Parents are rushing around to get kids to and from school and after-school activities. They are carpooling. It’s definitely not always easy to concentrate on driving with a car full of kids, buses everywhere and kids walking and biking to school all around you. That’s why we wanted to share these safety reminders with you from the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.

Watch out for distracted driving. Avoid looking back to address someone riding in the back seat. Put the phone down and never text while driving.  Be careful when eating on the run, as gobbling down a quick breakfast, lunch or dinner behind the wheel can be just as distracting as using a cell phone.  Secure pets if they are riding in the car with you. Kids fighting? If you need to mediate, find a safe place to get off the road, stop and handle it while you’re parked.

Buckle up. Don’t start driving until everyone buckles up. A number of children and teenagers don’t like to buckle up. Some will tell you their parents don’t make them wear seat belts. Let them know it’s a requirement in your car. It’s simple: Seat belts save lives and help prevent injuries during car accidents. Make sure that any child riding in your car is wearing a seat belt or using a booster seat.

Leave early. It’s easier said than done, but rushing increases your odds of a car accident. It’s not worth a car accident or speeding ticket to try to avoid getting your child to school late.

Observe speed limits.  Back-to-school time is not only a prime time for car accidents, it’s a common time to get a speeding ticket. Remember that many school zones have speed limits as low as 15 miles per hour; many residential areas near schools have speed limits of 25 miles per hour.

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Headquartered in Rochester Hills, Mich., Allied Insurance Managers is one of the largest, privately-owned, independent insurance agencies in Michigan.