The summer holidays are over, schools are reopening and the morning commute suddenly looks very different.
Roads that may have been relatively quiet for the past six weeks can quickly become busy again with parents dropping children off, school buses stopping, pedestrians crossing and young cyclists making their way to school.
For learner drivers in particular, this change can feel quite dramatic. A road you drove along comfortably during August might suddenly require much more observation, anticipation and planning.
Whether you're driving around Burton upon Trent, Swadlincote, Ashby-de-la-Zouch or Coalville, the important thing is to recognise that areas around schools need a different level of awareness.
The speed limit isn't necessarily the safe speed
The first thing I encourage learners to understand is the difference between the speed limit and a safe speed for the conditions.
The Highway Code specifically advises drivers to drive slowly near schools and to be particularly aware of young pedestrians and cyclists. Some school areas may also have flashing amber lights beneath a school warning sign, indicating that children could be crossing ahead.
If the road has a 30mph limit, that doesn't mean you should automatically drive at 30mph.
Imagine a school entrance at 8:30 in the morning. There are parked cars on both sides, children walking between vehicles, parents opening car doors and perhaps a bus stopping ahead.
Your view could be severely restricted.
A good driver recognises that risk and adjusts their speed before something happens, rather than reacting afterwards.
For learners, this is a really important skill: don't just look at what's happening — ask yourself what could happen next?
Watch carefully for school crossing patrols
School crossing patrols — still commonly called lollipop men and women — play an important part in helping children cross busy roads safely.
And there is one Highway Code rule every driver should know:
You MUST stop when a school crossing patrol displays the 'Stop for children' sign.
That is Highway Code Rule 210.
Drivers should also recognise when a crossing patrol is preparing to enter the road. Don't wait until the patrol is standing directly in front of your car before reacting.
Look well ahead, come off the accelerator early and be prepared to stop smoothly.
Official school crossing patrol guidance also explains the different positions used with the familiar lollipop sign. When the patrol is preparing to cross, drivers should be ready to stop; when the sign is extended to stop traffic, vehicles must stop.
Good anticipation makes the whole situation safer and calmer for everyone.
Take extra care at zebra crossings
Many schools have zebra crossings nearby, and these require particularly good observation.
Under Highway Code Rule 195, drivers should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross and MUST give way once a pedestrian has moved onto the crossing.
Around schools, don't concentrate only on someone already standing directly beside the crossing.
Look at the pavements approaching it as well.
A group of children walking towards a crossing may arrive there seconds before you do. Recognising that early gives you time to reduce your speed gradually rather than braking sharply at the last moment.
Be particularly careful when parked vehicles restrict your view of the pavement.
And don't wave children across or flash your headlights to tell them to cross. The Highway Code specifically advises drivers not to do this because another vehicle may be approaching that the pedestrian hasn't seen.
Your job is to make the situation safe — not to make the decision for the pedestrian.
Children don't always behave like adults
This sounds obvious, but it's one of the biggest reasons we need extra care around schools.
Children may become distracted while talking to friends. They might suddenly run across the road, drop something, change direction or step from between parked cars.
Younger children may also find it harder to judge the speed and distance of approaching traffic. The Highway Code's pedestrian guidance specifically points out that many children cannot judge how quickly vehicles are travelling or how far away they are.
That's why observation around schools needs to extend beyond the road immediately in front of your vehicle.
Look underneath and between parked cars.
Watch driveways.
Look towards school gates.
Notice groups of children approaching the kerb.
This is exactly the type of forward planning learner drivers should practise developing.
Don't make the problem worse by parking near the school entrance
School-run parking can cause enormous visibility problems.
Highway Code Rule 243 says drivers should not stop or park near a school entrance. It also advises against parking close to junctions, bus stops and other locations where your vehicle could create an obstruction or reduce visibility.
There are also specific school entrance road markings. Where signs show that stopping is prohibited during certain times, you must not stop there — even briefly to drop somebody off or pick somebody up.
Parking slightly further away and walking the final few minutes can make a significant difference.
Think about it from a child's point of view.
A large vehicle parked immediately beside a school entrance can prevent a child seeing approaching traffic — and prevent a driver seeing the child.
Convenient parking isn't worth creating that risk.
Be particularly careful around school buses
School buses introduce another hazard that drivers need to anticipate.
Highway Code Rule 209 advises drivers to drive carefully and slowly when passing a stationary bus displaying a 'School Bus' sign because children may be getting on or off.
Again, anticipation is everything.
If a school bus has stopped ahead, ask yourself:
Could somebody step into the road?
Could a child appear from behind the bus?
Could someone suddenly cross towards a parent waiting on the opposite pavement?
Don't simply squeeze past because there appears to be enough room.
Reduce your speed, increase your observation and be prepared to stop.
Learner drivers: this is great observation practice
Busy school areas can initially seem intimidating to learners, but they are also an excellent opportunity to develop one of the most important driving skills you'll ever learn — anticipation.
Instead of reacting to hazards individually, start building a picture of the whole environment.
School gate ahead.
Parked cars.
Children on pavement.
Zebra crossing.
Bus slowing down.
Crossing patrol preparing to enter the road.
Each clue helps you predict what might happen next.
That's the difference between simply controlling a car and genuinely learning to drive safely.
Give yourself more time
Finally, if your normal journey takes you past a school at opening or closing time, allow a little extra time.
Trying to make up lost time through a busy school area is exactly the wrong approach.
The safest drivers aren't necessarily the ones who react fastest. They're usually the ones who spot the developing situation early enough that they don't need a dramatic reaction at all.
With schools reopening across Burton upon Trent, Swadlincote, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Coalville, expect roads around schools to become much busier again.
Slow things down, keep your eyes moving and give children plenty of space.
And if you're learning to drive, don't worry if school-run traffic initially feels challenging. Learning how to read these busy environments is an important part of becoming a safe, confident and independent driver.
At Mark Jordan Driving School, we don't just teach learners how to pass a driving test. We help them develop the observation, planning and decision-making skills they'll need every day after they've passed.
If you're looking for driving lessons in Burton upon Trent, Swadlincote, Ashby-de-la-Zouch or Coalville, you can find out more about our lessons and availability on the Mark Jordan Driving School website.
