With school back in session, traffic patterns across North Carolina shift. More buses are on the roads, more parents are driving children to and from school, and more students are walking or biking through neighborhoods and crosswalks. These changes create conditions that can quickly become dangerous if drivers are not paying close attention. Every year, accidents involving school buses, pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles occur. That’s why we all need to stay alert on the roads during the busy school season.
The Risks of Driving Around School Buses
With over 14,000 school buses carrying nearly 800,000 students across our state each day, the potential for dangerous driving incidents is real. In 2023 alone, North Carolina recorded 1,091 school bus crashes, resulting in 227 injuries and six deaths. While school buses remain one of the safest ways for children to travel, other motorists often create hazards by ignoring or misjudging bus signals. The most common times for fatal school bus-related crashes are in the early morning and mid-afternoon when buses are loading and unloading. Children stepping off buses may be difficult for drivers to see, especially if they cross in front of the bus.
Another danger comes from drivers who fail to stop when buses display red flashing lights and extend their stop arms. Nationwide, tens of millions of illegal bus passings are estimated to occur each school year. North Carolina law is clear: motorists must stop for a stopped school bus with flashing red lights, whether traveling in the same direction or on the opposite side of the road (except on a divided highway with a median). Failing to follow this law can result in fines, insurance points, and devastating consequences for young lives.
Pedestrians and Cyclists in School Zones
More students are walking or biking to class when school is in session, so school zones, neighborhood streets, and busy intersections can be particularly risky. Children may dart into the road without looking, and drivers who are distracted—even for a second—may not have time to react.
Young cyclists often ride in groups to school and may not always obey traffic laws. Helmets, hand signals, and single-file riding are encouraged, but motorists must do their part by giving them space and slowing down.
Drivers should also reduce their speed in school zones, avoid blocking crosswalks, and remain alert for crossing guards or flashing yellow lights.
In addition to buses and students, the school year puts thousands of extra vehicles on the road as parents drive children to school and commuters adjust their work schedules. This congestion increases the likelihood of rear-end collisions, fender benders in school parking lots, and distracted driving incidents.
In 2023, distracted driving crashes killed 132 people and injured another 19,194 on North Carolina roads. With phones, GPS, and the morning rush all competing for attention, staying focused behind the wheel is critical.
When Accidents Happen—What’s Next?
A growing number of crashes during the school year involve pedestrians, cyclists, or multi-vehicle collisions. In such cases, there are legal options that can provide victims and families with essential support and accountability.
Pedestrian crashes often result in serious or fatal injuries. In scenarios ranging from crosswalk incidents to roads without sidewalks, the Whitley Law Firm supports victims by assessing both physical and emotional impacts, including costs of medical care, lost income, home care, and pain and suffering. A North Carolina pedestrian accident lawyer can conduct thorough investigations by collecting evidence, witness accounts, police reports, and even engaging reconstructionists to establish fault.
Common causes of bicycle accidents, many of which can result in serious injuries, include motorists failing to yield at intersections, drivers passing too closely, distracted driving, and vehicles turning right or left without noticing a cyclist in the lane. In school zones, parked cars and heavy traffic can also create blind spots, making young riders especially vulnerable. When a crash occurs, injured cyclists and their families may face costly medical bills, lost time from school or work, and long recoveries. If the accident was caused by a negligent driver—whether due to speeding, distraction, or failing to share the road—a personal injury lawsuit may be the only way to secure compensation for these losses and hold the driver accountable.
In car accidents, whether it’s a rear-end collision, head-on crash, or distracted driving case, victims may also be entitled to compensation for medical bills, vehicle damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
One important legal factor that can significantly impact pedestrian and North Carolina car accident lawsuits is the state’s contributory negligence rule. Under this strict standard, an injured person may be barred from recovering compensation if they are found to be even one percent at fault for the accident. For example, if a pedestrian is struck by a car but was crossing outside of a designated crosswalk, or if a driver involved in a collision was slightly speeding, the insurance company may argue that this minor fault prevents them from receiving any damages. Because of this rule, having experienced legal representation is critical—an attorney can gather evidence, challenge unfair blame-shifting, and fight to ensure victims are not unjustly denied the compensation they need.
Safety Tips for NC Drivers This School Season
The return to school is an exciting time, but it also places greater responsibility on every driver in North Carolina. Whether you’re behind a school bus, approaching a crosswalk, or passing through a crowded neighborhood street, the choices you make can prevent accidents and save lives.
North Carolina officials emphasize the following safety tips:
- Obey school bus laws: Stop when red lights flash and the stop arm extends.
- Stay alert in school zones: Watch for reduced speed limits, crossing guards, and unexpected pedestrian movement.
- Share the road with cyclists: Give at least 3 feet of space when passing and never cut in front of a bicycle.
- Avoid distractions: Put phones away and keep your eyes on the road.
- Plan for delays: Expect heavier traffic during school drop-off and pick-up times.
By slowing down, staying alert, respecting traffic laws, and knowing the right steps if accidents occur, we can all contribute to safer North Carolina streets and help ensure that students make it to and from school safely this year.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a North Carolina bus, pedestrian, cycling, or car crash, the team at Whitley Law Firm is here to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation or call 1-800-785-5000 for more information.
