How to Stay Safe While Commuting to College This Fall

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Back to school season has officially arrived, and that means kids around the country are heading off to college for the first time. Of course, if you’re on your way to campus this fall, you probably have a lot on your mind – getting settled into your dorm, meeting new friends, and preparing for all of your classes. However, it’s important not to forget about your safety as well as your commute back and forth to school and your apartment.

Planning a Safe Commute

Driving and riding safely between school and home starts with the right safety plan. Here are important tips to help you stay safe while commuting to college this fall:

1. Don't Doze Off

Staying safe while driving as a college student starts with staying alert and awake. Whether you’re driving, riding a bus, or train, or even on a bike, it can be easy to doze off on your commute. Make sure you keep yourself awake by chewing sugar-free gum and sipping coffee, tea, or a sports drink. As an added safety precaution, make sure you’re always wearing reflective clothing and carry important phone numbers with you. If your trip is especially long (i.e., eight hours or more), schedule some pit stops along your route that includes bathroom breaks and meals. Moreover, if you're drowsy or tipsy, it's best to make other plans like calling a cab, Lyft, or uber.

2. Avoid Late Night Driving

Every New York motorcycle accident attorney warns that late-night driving can be just as dangerous as early morning driving. If you are ever in an accident, be sure to contact an experienced attorney to assist you. If you’re planning on commuting to college or work during rush hour, try taking public transportation instead. If you do need to drive later at night, stay off your phone.

3. Consider Carpooling

Many college students don’t think about  carpooling as an option, but this is a good way to save money and get to school safely. Carpooling can be a real lifesaver when you consider your long commutes, late-night study sessions, and dwindling gas money. Consider joining a local student club dedicated to organizing carpools (and arrange special deals for members.) You might be surprised how many people you can find! Another option is to join Zipcar: The rental company has thousands of cars available in hundreds of cities and areas around the country and operates mostly in college towns during the fall and spring semesters. You can even rent by the hour or day so you can get exactly what you need at a reasonable price.

4. Use All Available Safety Features

Car crashes are some of the most likely accidents to occur, so it’s important to use every safety feature on your car when driving. For example, turning on your headlights at all times, even during daylight hours, will help you drive more safely. This way, if another driver hits your car while your lights are off, they’ll be hard-pressed to prove that it wasn’t their fault.

Likewise, make sure that your brake lights work properly. If they don’t, you may cause an accident by pulling in front of someone too quickly.

5. Always Wear a Seatbelt

Driving is a dangerous activity and seatbelts save lives. Even if you’re not driving, you’re still at risk of injury in an accident. Whether you’re biking, skateboarding, or walking to campus, always wear a seatbelt and put your phone away so you can concentrate on your journey. Moreover, be sure to be careful when changing lanes and avoid driving when it’s dark outside; drivers often cannot see pedestrians in low light. When crossing streets, try to do so with a friend; that way there are more sets of eyes looking out for cars.

Conclusion

Even though you’re leaving home, that doesn’t mean you should put your safety at risk when commuting to college this fall. By implementing the above tips, you can feel confident that you’re making smart choices when getting to and from campus.