Back-to-School Safety Tips for Louisiana Families in 2025

Back-to-school season in Louisiana brings busy roads, rushed mornings, and more children walking, riding, and riding buses each day. A little extra attention from drivers and parents can prevent serious crashes and life-changing injuries. These back-to-school safety tips are tailored to Louisiana laws, so your family knows what to watch for in school zones, around buses, and on the way to and from class.

1. Slow Down and Stay Focused in Louisiana School Zones

Across Louisiana, most school zones drop to about 20 mph during posted morning and afternoon hours, often one hour before and after the school day begins and ends. Many parishes now use school zone cameras, and under recent laws, tickets are only enforceable when signs, flashing beacons, and times are clearly posted. 

Louisiana is also cracking down on distracted driving, with a statewide hands-free law for drivers in school zones set to take effect in 2025 that will make holding a phone even more costly near schools. The safest rule is simple: in a school zone, slow down, watch for children, and keep your phone put away.

2. Keep Children Safe Around School Buses

Louisiana drivers must stop at least 30 feet from a school bus when its red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, no matter which direction they are traveling, unless there is a physical median or barrier. 

Passing a stopped school bus can lead to heavy fines, possible jail time for repeat offenders, and devastating injuries when a child is hit in the “danger zone” around the bus. Parents can help by teaching children to wait for the driver’s signal, cross in front of the bus where they can be seen, and avoid walking behind or close to the sides. 

New requirements for heating and air conditioning on student buses are also being phased in, which can improve safety by reducing heat-related medical issues on long Louisiana routes.

3. Teach Kids Smart Safety Habits for the New School Year

Children absorb safety habits quickly when they are taught consistently, especially during the first few weeks of school. 

Parents can practice walking routes together, show kids how to use crosswalks and signals, and explain why they should avoid walking behind buses or darting between parked cars. Reinforcing simple rules like “look left, look right, look left again” can prevent serious injuries in Louisiana’s busy school corridors. 

Reviewing these habits regularly can give younger children confidence and reduce risky behavior during hectic morning and afternoon traffic.

4. Protect Kids Who Walk, Bike, or Use Scooters

Children who walk or bike to school face real risks from speeding, distracted drivers, and busy intersections. In many Louisiana communities, pedestrian crashes have increased, and a significant share of serious injuries involve children and teens near roadways. 

Parents should reinforce basics like using crosswalks, making eye contact with drivers, looking both ways before crossing, and staying off phones or headphones near traffic. For kids on bikes or scooters, a properly fitted helmet, bright clothing, and riding on the correct side of the road can make the difference between a close call and a catastrophic injury.

5. Guide Teen Drivers Through Back-to-School Traffic

Teen drivers in Louisiana are involved in a high percentage of injury crashes, especially during peak school commute times. New drivers can feel pressure to beat the bell, drive faster than conditions allow, or look at their phones when friends text on the way to school. 

Parents should set clear rules that there is no phone use behind the wheel, extra time should be built into morning routines, and speed limits must be followed, especially in school zones and around buses. Riding with fewer passengers, leaving early, and practicing common school routes in advance can help teen drivers gain confidence without taking unnecessary risks.

6. Stay Alert in Louisiana’s Rural and Urban School Zones

Louisiana’s urban parishes like East Baton Rouge, Orleans, and Lafayette see heavy congestion around school zones, which means more vehicles, more pedestrians, and a greater chance of distracted driving crashes. 

Rural areas have different challenges, including longer bus routes, fewer crossing guards, and higher speeds on two-lane highways. Drivers should adjust their speed, increase following distance, and stay alert for children entering or exiting buses on roads without sidewalks or shoulders. 

Every community has unique risks, and staying aware of local traffic patterns helps prevent avoidable injuries.

7. Create Safer Pick-Up and Drop-Off Routines

Many Louisiana schools now have more structured car rider lines and updated policies to cut down on chaos in front of campuses. Families should follow school instructions on where to line up, avoid double-parking, and use designated loading zones instead of stopping in traffic lanes or crosswalks. 

Children should exit and enter the vehicle on the passenger side, never walk between cars, and wait for an adult to signal that it is safe to cross. A calm, predictable pick-up and drop-off routine lowers the chance of a child being struck by a hurried or distracted driver.

What To Do If Your Child Is Hurt Going To or From School

Even when families and schools do everything right, serious accidents still happen in school zones, at bus stops, and along walking and biking routes. 

If your child is injured, the first step is to get immediate medical care, even if the injuries seem minor at first. Try to gather photos, witness names, driver information, and school or bus details as soon as it is safe. 

In Louisiana, families may have legal claims against negligent drivers, bus companies, or school districts, and the state’s comparative fault rules mean your child may still recover compensation even if an insurer argues that your child made a mistake.

Talk to a Louisiana Back-to-School Injury Lawyer

When a child is hurt on the way to or from school, families are left facing medical bills, time away from work, and the emotional fallout of a frightening crash. 

Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys understand Louisiana traffic laws, school transportation rules, and the complex liability issues that arise in these cases. Our team can review what happened, explain your legal options, and fight for the compensation your child needs for medical care, pain and suffering, and long-term support. If your child has been injured in a school zone, on a school bus, or on the way to class anywhere in Louisiana, contact Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys for a free consultation and guidance on your next steps.