For many families, the school year is a hectic time. Between making lunches and taking the children to and from school, it may feel like you’re always in a hurry. But weekdays can be more manageable if you share the school driving responsibilities with other families, otherwise known as “carpooling.”
What is carpooling?
Carpooling is a type of ride-sharing that allows busy people to take turns with other neighborhood parents. Carpooling helps you:
Save time and money.
Minimize the wear and tear on your car.
Reduce traffic during peak hours.
Get to know other parents and community members.
Choosing carpool drivers
Share the idea of carpooling with responsible parents who are also interested in participating.
Try to ensure that participating drivers have cars in good condition and all valid documents (registration, insurance, etc.).
Figure out how many children can safely ride in the car, depending on its capacity.
Keep the phone number and address of each parent in case of emergencies.
Recommendations for drivers
Leave your house early, with enough time to pick up all the children on time.
Have children under age 13 sit in the back seat, and ensure they wear their seatbelts.
In South Carolina, children younger than eight years old or less than 57 inches tall must ride in a booster or car safety seat.
Before driving to school, ensure all the car doors are closed properly and use the child safety locks if your car has them.
Never leave children alone in the car, not even for a minute.
Advice for driving in school zones
Drive slowly in a school zone and always obey the speed limit.
When driving behind a school bus, stop when the red lights flash. Never try to pass a bus.
Avoid blocking or parking in front of the school entrance or exit.
Drop off the children in specified loading/unloading zones. Wait until you see them go into school before leaving. Notify the teacher who will be picking up the children after school each day.
Source: www.kids.usa.gov
