Safe practice: Children should enter and exit on the curbside only. An adult should open the door, check for cyclists and traffic, and guide them directly to the sidewalk.

Never leave a child in a parked car, even briefly. Check the back seat before locking, keep keys out of reach, and call 911 if a child is trapped or overheated.

Rushed drop-offs, double parking, mid-lane exits, and ignored crosswalks create blind spots and sudden stops-common triggers for school parking lot accidents.

Child passenger laws often hinge on age, weight, height, and seat position-not just birthdays. Misreading booster and rear-facing rules can expose families to fines and avoidable injury.

2026 backseat safety rules are tightening as crash data highlights risks for children and rear passengers, prompting updated guidance on restraints, belts, and age-appropriate seating.