Once we “spring forward” and enter Daylight Saving Time (DST), kids and parents alike look forward to longer, sun-soaked evenings. But they often forget that their mornings will be darker, especially in those first few days and weeks.
Here in Bucks and Montgomery counties, first light doesn’t appear until around 7 a.m. after the time change. Full sunrise doesn’t happen until closer to 7:20 a.m. That means kids will be waiting for the bus or walking to school either in darkness or while the sun is coming up, which is when accidents are more likely to happen.
“One study shows that the time transition in spring increases the risk for fatal traffic accidents by 6%, and that risk is highest first thing in the morning,” explains Amanda Gifford, MD, a board-certified trauma surgeon with the Level II Trauma Center at Grand View Health.
Help your kids start a new, safer spring morning routine. Follow these tips from our Trauma Team:
Arrive at the bus stop early. Avoid the temptation to sleep in on the first few days of DST. Instead, get to the bus stop 5 to 10 minutes before the bus comes so you’re not rushing.
Keep your distance. Darker and sun-glare-filled mornings make it especially important for kids to stay a safe distance from the street or curb. Stand back at least six feet. If your child doesn’t know what that means, ask them to stay three giant steps away from the road.
Follow all the rules. Don’t let kids walk toward the bus until the vehicle has made a complete stop and opened its doors. Remind children to remain seated while riding the bus and to not wave their arms or hands out the bus window. Also, tell kids that they should never walk behind the bus. If they drop a schoolbook or backpack near the bus, tell the driver immediately before retrieving the item.
Wear bright clothing. Make your child easy for drivers to see. Have them wear bright-colored clothing or clothes with a reflective fabric.
Light the way. Consider having your child use flashlights while walking to the bus or school. Also, if your child bicycles to school, outfit their bikes with headlamps and reflective material so they’re highly visible.
Put the electronics away. Sure, waiting for the bus can be boring for kids. But make sure they don’t use a smartphone or play hand-held video games while standing at the stop. Doing so could make them distracted, which may put them in harm’s way.
Repeat the message. Kids are forgetful, so be sure to remind them about morning school bus safety daily during those first few weeks of DST.
Lead by example. Parents should model good behavior for their children while driving by being respectful of school buses on the road. Never pass a school bus with its red flashing lights on. Follow posted limits in school zones. Also, keep your windshield clean and wear sunglasses during sunrise to avoid sun glare and maintain clear vision while driving.
Learn more about how our Trauma Team keeps people safe throughout Southeastern PA. Visit GVH.org/trauma.