School Zone Car Accidents in Montgomery County and Why Risks Rise During Pick Up and Drop Off

School zones in Montgomery County present an increased risk to drivers and pedestrians alike. Especially during drop-off and pick-up times, car accident rates spike due to an increase in traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular. The Federal Highway Administration has found that traffic congestion significantly increases the likelihood of crashes, particularly in stop-and-go conditions like those commonly seen in school zones. As you would expect, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that pedestrian crashes are most likely to occur during weekday morning and afternoon hours (roughly between 7 and 9 a.m. and 2 and 4 p.m.) when school zones are most active. Where our most vulnerable population is at risk, safe driving around schools is paramount.

What is a school zone in Montgomery County?

School zones appear near schools and have lower speed limits and other rules governing how drivers operate their vehicles. During specific times of the year (when school is in session Monday through Friday) and at intervals during the school day (typically mornings and afternoons), the speed limit in a school zone drops, and fines for traffic violations increase. 

Many school districts in Montgomery County have law enforcement on staff to help enforce the rules of the road in school zones. Area law enforcement typically keeps a close eye on speeding, illegal passing, and other possible violations of the law. In our county, there are 156 public schools and 231 private schools, which means nearly 400 K-12 schools in Montgomery County and hundreds of active school zones at any given time. 

Why are car accidents in school zones common? 

Despite the increased law enforcement presence in school zones and the laws being focused on child and driver safety, school zone accidents remain too common. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 100 people are killed each year in school-transportation-related crashes. Why may that be the case? 

• When parents and other caregivers are dropping off and picking up children from school, there are more vehicles on the roads around schools. Children who are focused on either getting to school or getting to their family members are not paying complete attention to what is going on around them. 
• Simply put, waiting behind school buses and parent vehicles can be frustrating for morning commuters. With slow-moving buses on the road, many drivers tend to speed and make abrupt maneuvers to avoid them. Driving maneuvers like these make it more likely for an accident to occur. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that children are most at risk of being struck in the “danger zone” within 10 feet of a school bus.
• From a driver’s perspective, the more going on around them, the greater the likelihood of a car accident. Distracted driving is a major problem on Montgomery County roads across a variety of settings. This is especially true in school zones.
• Speeding, whether from a lack of awareness of the school zone, or – worse – a lack of care for the school zone, dramatically increases the severity of accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, higher vehicle speeds both increase the likelihood of a crash and make injuries to pedestrians significantly more severe or fatal.
• Congested roadways lead to higher car accident rates.

During the school year, roads near schools experience a tremendous increase in foot and vehicle traffic. Parents are dropping children off while trying to get themselves to work or back home. Students dart in and out of traffic to get to school from the school bus or their parents’ vehicle. After school, those same students are just as unpredictable with trying to find their ride- on the school bus or in their parents’ backseat. As a result, there are traffic patterns that leave drivers little margin for error. 

Driving defensively is always recommended, especially in crowded suburban and urban areas. Montgomery County is a heavily populated area that is home to many elementary, middle, and secondary schools. In short, drivers in Montgomery County must have their heads on swivels when driving through school zones. The failure to do so may result in severe consequences

How to proceed if you are involved in a school zone car accident

Your safety, and the safety of those involved in the car accident, is the top priority once the accident occurs. If you are physically able, check yourself for injuries. Contact emergency services or law enforcement if the car accident is severe or if a pedestrian is involved. 

When able, exit your vehicle and take photographs of the car accident scene. Montgomery County car accident attorney Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. emphasizes documentation and evidence collection with his clients from the earliest stages of their case. 

Speak to any witness who may have seen what occurred. Take down phone numbers and any other contact information for witnesses or other drivers. This includes the insurance information for any other driver involved in the car accident. 

Seek medical care after the accident 

Once all contact information is obtained, statements have been made to law enforcement, and your vehicle has been secured, it is time to consider whether to seek medical care. Even if you do not believe that you are injured or if you consider your injuries to be “minor,” it is reasonable to have yourself examined by a doctor. 

By seeking medical care after a car accident, you can determine the extent of your injuries early in the process. In some situations, pain and other symptoms do not reveal themselves for hours or days after the accident has taken place. By receiving medical care soon after the accident, you can determine the extent of your injuries and begin appropriate treatment in a timely manner. 

Speak with an experienced Pennsylvania car accident attorney to fight for your rights

Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. serves clients who have been injured in car accidents. It is not easy to fight for your rights after being injured in a school zone car accident. Ensuring you can build a successful case means presenting evidence and making strategic arguments to a judge or jury. Our team of legal professionals is experienced at providing support and advocacy for clients facing insurance companies in complex car accident cases. 

Contact Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. for a free case review

Don’t fight the insurance company alone. Contact a Montgomery County car accident attorney who does not back down from a challenge. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. takes seriously his responsibility to serve his clients injured in car accidents.