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DEAR EDITOR:
Driving vehicles requires constant awareness of surroundings. Now is when surroundings introduce new concerns and challenges.
It's back-to-school time for our children. They may be walking or waiting for the bus, and drivers must be more attentive.
I will share laws and considerations to make you a better, safer driver.
• 20 mph school zone: Speed limit is 20 mph in school zones. Marked with flashing yellow lights or sign, it's in effect when school is opening, closing and during recess.
Consider average perception plus reaction time of a driver, paying attention, not on the phone, texting or changing the radio station, is 3/4 to 1.5 seconds. That's the time it takes to begin braking, foot off the accelerator and onto the brake. At 20 mph, it takes 64 feet to stop that automobile, with reaction time plus vehicle brake, stopping distance. Your vehicle will travel four to five car lengths before stopping; that is quite a distance before striking a child who ran in front of you. The faster you go, the longer it takes to stop; double your speed from 20 to 40 mph and braking distance and force of impact are four times greater.
• School bus stop traffic control: When you see school bus stopped, lights flashing, you must stop on roads with fewer than four lanes. This means those with three lanes (center turn lane), all traffic approaching stopped school bus from either direction must come to complete stop, with minimum 10 feet from the bus.
Roadways with four or more lanes, only traffic moving in same direction of bus must stop. Remain stopped until the bus turns off flashing lights, begins to move or driver signals you to proceed.
• Wipers on / lights on: Vehicles with equipment not only makes our vehicle safer to operate, accelerate when needed and stop sufficiently, but also to communicate with others sharing roadway (e.g. turn signals, brake lights, horn). Ohio Revised Code reads: When windshield wipers are on during rain, headlights must also go on.
• Roadway pavement markings: Intersection lines indicating where to stop and those in "turning lane" ensure vehicles coming in opposite direction have space to turn properly. Vehicles often ignore markings, causing traffic jams, potential for an accident or requiring them to back up.
Let's all be aware of roadway conditions, time of day and others sharing the roadway. Pay attention, put down the phone and slow down.
JOHN P. LESEGANICH SR.
Canfield