As Ohio children gear up for another school year, it's important for parents and children alike to brush up on rules related to car, pedestrian and bicycle safety. Sadly, every year there are incidents involving car and pedestrian accidents or car and bicycle accidents. Following some basic safety practices, however, can help ensure that more Ohio children have a safe commute to and from school.

Drivers who are transporting children to and from school need to be extra vigilant and alert when entering school zones. Oftentimes there are several other vehicles lined up to drop off children so motorists must not only be aware of the movements of these other vehicles, but also where their occupants are exiting and traveling once they leave the vehicle.

Children can be unpredictable and may dart out into the street without even looking for oncoming traffic. Therefore, to avoid pedestrian accidents, it's crucial that drivers drive slowly, remain alert and scan their periphery for possible pedestrians.

Motorists should also avoid engaging in any unnecessary distracting activities while driving. Talking on the phone, adjusting the radio station or turning around to talk to a child are all activities that take a driver's focus off of the road and important task at hand. A driver who is distracted is much more likely to be involved in an accident and would likely not be able to react quickly if a child or bicycle were to stray into the street.

In addition to employing safe driving practices, parents are encouraged to remind children who are walking to and from school to use crosswalks and always look both ways before crossing the street. Likewise, parents should encourage children who bike to school to wear helmets and appropriate reflective gear and to follow safe biking rules.

Source: The Camarillo Acorn, "Car safety for school year," Simi Valley Police Department, Aug. 24, 2012