Back to School – Taking Care on the Roads

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As the summer draws to an end and the new school year begins, it is important to be even more vigilant than usual when out on the roads.

Regular commuters have been treated to quieter roads for the last couple of months, so it’s helpful to be reminded of the changes that September brings when out and about.

Our Road Traffic Accident team discusses some common things to be aware of as the roads return to their usual volume of traffic.

Care on the Roads

Darker mornings and deteriorating weather

The mornings are getting darker now, compared to when the schools broke up for the summer, so be extra watchful on duller days – especially if the weather is poor.

Rain affects both visibility and braking distance, so make sure to drive at a sensible speed and allow extra room between you and the vehicle in front. On the dullest mornings, if your car doesn’t have automatic lights – make sure use manual headlights and sidelights appropriately to fit conditions.

Traffic and pedestrians

After two months of summer holidays, we’ve had time to adjust to lower volumes of traffic – free of school runs and with lots of families away taking holidays. Therefore, there will be a noticeable increase in cars on the roads and parents and/or children out on foot as September continues on.

Make sure to take extra time to reach your destination during peak times, and be extra mindful when passing groups of children and parents walking to or from school and stepping unexpectedly into the road.

Also be on the lookout for cars pulling out of school entrances, as well as queues in and out of school premises for drop-off and pick-ups or vehicles pulling into bus stops. If your route takes you past a bus stop or school bus terminus, be aware of children running out into the road from the front of the bus as well as behind it.

Pedestrian crossings

Watch out for children dashing across the road before or after the lights change, or further up or down the road from the crossing area. Always ensure that you take extra care at zebra crossings, and obey the lollipop lady/man if you are instructed to stop.

Cyclists

With more children out and about during term time, chances are that you will see more cyclists. Most will likely be cycling on footpaths, but be sure to give extra room to cyclists on the road, and be aware of bikes leaving and entering footpaths unexpectedly, such as at junctions or to overtake pedestrians.

What do I do in the event of an accident?

Ensure that you are safe
Seek medical assistance if necessary and call an ambulance if needed
Contact the police
Exchange contact details, registration numbers, insurance details etc.
Gather evidence – Dashcam footage, CCTV, photos of vehicles, impact areas, injuries and crash site (when safe to do so)
Obtain witness contact details

Can I take legal action for my injuries and expenses?

If you were not to blame for the accident, you may be able to claim compensation for the injuries you received as well as loss of earnings or other medical expenses.

Time limits are strict regarding such personal injury claims, and generally it must be done within three years of the incident. Having solid evidence (listed above) to back you up can be a big help to your case, should there be any dispute from the defendant(s).

Why choose Oakwood Solicitors Ltd to make a compensation claim?

We have been handling Personal Injury claims caused by Road Traffic Accidents since 2001, with many of our Solicitors and Paralegals having been with us for over ten years.

When you instruct our team, you can expect a friendly, down to earth service, with an extensive knowledge of the field. This will be used to retrieve the maximum level of compensation possible for you.

There is no obligation to proceed with an enquiry upon getting in touch.